An Olympic gold medallist has boosted a campaign to save Coseley baths by pledging his backing for the battle.

Duncan Goodhew, who sped to gold in the 100 metres breaststroke in the 1980 Moscow games, says the pool should not be closed until an alternative baths is open.

A new pool is expected to open in Bilston in the next decade as part of a £200million development but a brick is yet to be laid.

Coseley baths will close at the end of August after Dudley Council refused to plough £1m into urgent repairs to make the roof safe.

Bosses say the building needs £2m of work in total.

Mr Goodhew, a swimmer made iconic not just by his success but because of his distinctive bald head, said it was vital that young and old had access to a pool on their doorstep.

The 52-year-old father of two said: “No pool should close until a credible alternative has been found, particularly for those learning to swim and those who rely on swimming as their only form of exercise such as the disabled or elderly.

“Until proper on-stream facilities have been found, then the pool should not close, so of course I back the campaign.”

Spend

Mr Goodhew, who lives in Somerset, said even if the decision to shut the pool in Pear Tree Lane was taken for financial reasons, it could not be justified.

“If it is a financial decision, it is a political decision because they have obviously decided to spend the money elsewhere,” he said.

Campaigners are furious that councillors this year awarded themselves a 25 per cent pay rise, minutes after kicking them out of a meeting at Dudley Council House.

It emerged last week that Coseley Swimming Club could fold after almost half a century due to the imminent closure of Coseley baths.

Its future will be decided at the club’s annual general meeting on August 21.

However, Brierley Hill Swimming Club, due to close on July 24, is battling on, although it has pulled out of competitive swimming.

The club switched its sessions to Coseley following the closure of Brierley Hill baths.

It will now hold Learn to Swim sessions at Dudley Leisure Centre.

By Mark Mudie