Scores of protesters rallied on the steps of Dudley Council House in their fight to save Coseley’s condemned swimming baths, which could now close before August.

Campaigners waved placards at councillors arriving for last night’s full council meeting, while a protest website gathered pace with 2,500 hits to date.

The major protest followed the results of an opinion poll where every home in Coseley East ward received a hand-delivered note from campaigners asking if they supported the council’s plan to close the baths in Pear Tree Lane. Councillor Melvyn Mottram, who is helping to lead the campaign, handed over 1,100 slips at the meeting, with every single one rejecting the council’s plan.

Cabinet member Councillor Adrian Turner defended the decision to close the pool. He said: “If money had been spent on the roof by previous councils we would not be in a position where we were having this discussion.” The authority wants to close the baths on health and safety grounds.