IT IS only public opinion that will save the Grange Lido. Surprisingly there are many lidos operating throughout the country, including one the Prince of Wales re-opened in Cornwall last year after a multi-million pound refurbishment.

I remember the Grange lido well and learned to swim there in 1956 as our entire school (Charney Hall) used to walk down to the pool every day, weather permitting.

If the council does, indeed, fill in the pool with concrete it could never be saved and, as with all local authorities, their only interest is to offload any amenities which may cost money.

If it is lost it will be lost for good as we experienced in St Annes-on-Sea. We had a wonderful Roman baths/lido, which closed about 30 years ago because it had been converted to a heated pool and we had two very poor summers so the council took the opportunity to demolish the pool.

In those days public opinion was not strong enough to fight against this so I urge the people in Grange and the nearby communities to fight to keep it. There must be enough volunteer labour to make a start.

Remember it is the people who own the facilities and not some short-term officials. There was also a very large lido in Blackpool South Shore, which was demolished around 30 years ago.

Geoff Race

St Annes on Sea