Eleven groups or individuals have expressed an interest in running two closure-threatened Bradford swimming pools, it was revealed.

Bradford Council, which has decided to withdraw funding for Manningham Pool and Rhodesway Pool, has been seeking business proposals for either or both of the pools. The deadline for ‘expressions of interest’ is the end of this week.

A breakdown of the 11 expressions of interest shows that five were interested in both pools, one was only interested in Manning-ham pool, three were interested in Rhodesway and the other two did not specify.

The Council would not reveal the identities of the interested parties at this stage.

Peter Nias, of the Save Manningham Pool Action Committee, said: “With the primary school age numbers increasing by a third over the next ten years, there will be more children doing less exercise.

“Also, when we are very much encouraged to fight the flab, shutting a pool sends the wrong message to Bradford, with its unfortunate obesity reputation since being labelled fattest UK city of 2006.”

Committee secretary Bruce Barnes said: “The 1960s UK Olympic gold medal swimmer Anita Lonsborough used to swim in Manningham pool as a child. We are trying to contact her to obtain her backing.

“A Friends of Manning-ham Pool group is also being formed.

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