Showers at Darlaston Leisure Centre have been out of use for more than six weeks sparking complaints from swimmers.

Around five poolside showers – meant for swimmers to wash before getting in to the baths – are not working.

The situation has led to hygiene concerns and criticism that money spent on covering up windows at the centre in Victoria Road to protect swimmers’ modesty could have been better used on repairs.  However the council has hit back saying the cash does not come from the same budget.

Mother-of-two Stephanie Hancox, aged 37, from Willenhall, said: “I take my boys swimming and the showers have been out of use for weeks while they are spending money on covering up windows which nobody wants.

“It is not very hygienic not being able to wash before getting in to the pool. Whenever I have asked staff about it they just say there is no money to do the repairs. There are other showers in cubicles by the poolside but they are always locked or in use.”

Cabinet member for leisure councillor Anthony Harris said: “plumbing work has been done behind the walls and we are waiting for the tiling to be redone to make it all safe and ready for use again, it will be a matter of days not weeks.”

Last month the council came under fire for forking out on covering up windows at Darlaston Leisure Centre to protect the modesty of swimmers who the authority said had complained about the lack of privacy.