I WAS very sorry to read the criticism of the lifeguards at Littledown pool by a mother, following an incident when her six-year-old son got into difficulties on the slide.

Seeing as the mother was in the pools with three children that throws up straight away the risks of having young children, using different parts of the pool, not under direct supervision.

But that apart the point I want to make is that we use Bournemouth pools, Littledown and Stoke Wood, every week, and we could not praise the management of the pools more highly.

They are great pools, very nicely run and very friendly. And indeed last year there was an incident and I was very impressed. A whistle blew, we all got out of the water, and extra guards were in the pool within seconds.

And I must add well done Bournemouth on keeping your pools under local council management.

This compares with our pools in Poole where we live. These pools were all privatised several years ago. Since then it’s been awful.

Very restricted hours, main pool at the Dolphin with a boom cutting down size of the pool and diving boards closed most of the day.

So I want to say one big thank you to Littledown and Stoke Wood pools and all staff. They do a great job and I am sure will themselves be very dismayed that any user has been distressed.

MRS JANE CURRIE

Oakdale Road, Poole

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