DIVERS fighting plans to get rid of diving facilities in Poole say they will be “devastated” if it means their club will have to close.

Members of the Wessex Diving Club gathered outside the Everyone Active (Dolphin) Leisure Centre yesterday to speak to the Daily Echo about their campaign to keep diving in the town.

Poole council recently consulted on its proposals for a new leisure centre, which will form part of the wider £132m Town Centre North regeneration scheme.

However, they have no current plans to replace the diving pool once the centre is rebuilt. Beth Stannard said: “I started diving here as a child and now I’m a coach. This is a family-friendly club, and we’d be devastated if we had to close.

“Diving is part of our lives and it’s part of the town’s history. People have grown up knowing they can use the boards here - Poole council would be missing out on a great opportunity if they re-developed the club and didn’t use it to its full potential.”

Tracey Miles, who was a diver for Great Britain, added: “Diving is such a great thing for children to do, and they get a real sense of achievement.”

A petition set up by the club has already raised nearly 400 signatures. To sign, visit thepetitionsite.com/374/368/243/keep-poole-diving/