TOWN leaders have hit out at higher summer prices for using Ilkley Lido swimming pool, claiming local families are being penalised.

Entry charges to the swimming pool - which includes entry to the centre's outdoor pool in the summer - have been put up from £2.60 to £3.25 for adults, and from £1.20 to £1.60 for juniors.

Bradford Council says this is because swimmers will be free to use both pools during the summer months.

But Ilkley parish councillors have criticised the increase, and one claims the cost will now turn many local families away.

At Monday's Finance and General Purposes committee, Councillor Pat Stevenson said: "It's going to affect the families of this area. For two adults and two children, it's going to cost £9.70 for a swim, as opposed to £7.60. That's a vast increase. I really feel quite incensed about this."

Coun Stevenson suggested visitors to the pool could pay the original price if they did not want to use the outdoor pool, and be given a coloured wristband which attendants could check before allowing anyone to use the outdoor pool.

She fears some families will be

discouraged from taking youngsters to the indoor pool to teach them to swim.

Other councillors said that Ilkley residents who regularly visit the indoor pool for exercise are also being penalised by the higher summer

rates.

Parish Council chairman, Coun Mike Gibbons, said the increased number of visitors to Ilkley Lido in summer should cover the extra expense of opening the outdoor pool.

"The idea of increasing the charges is quite absurd," he said.

A Bradford Council spokeswoman said: "We are currently reviewing our pricing policy in the light of the Audit Commission's guidance on pricing, which looks at how Councils set prices on leisure facilities and attractions across the district. We will also take into account any suggestions received from our customers."