Sharron dives in to help baths fight

The Olympic silver medallist turned BBC presenter has backed campaigners battling to beat the bulldozer and save the building in Pear Tree Lane.

British swimmers brought home seven medals in all from the meet in Rome, their best ever showing and Davies says the result should make council bosses think again about removing a facility which could help create future swimming stars.

In a supportive email to the Save Coseley Baths campaign group, Davies encourages members to continue their fight. She writes: "Emphasise how well our swimmers did recently at the world championships and how important local pools are so kids can get to them to either learn, stay fit or train. Good luck."

She joins Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew in criticising the closure plans for the facility.

Time is running out for campaigners, with the baths due to shut on August 31.

They have been canvassing door-to-door on the streets of Coseley, Sedgley and Gornal, asking voters to make their feelings known at the ballot box at the next local elections.

Spokesman Brian Guest said protesters had collected more than 500 signatures on their first outing, with a further trip planned for this weekend.

He is planning to fight all the way to try to secure an 11th hour reprieve for the pool, which he says is a vital facility for the area.

Dudley Council says the baths need £2 million worth of repairs including £1m worth of urgent work to make the roof safe.

Protesters opposing the closure were angered this week when it emerged taxpayers will have to foot the £7million bill to relocate the borough's archives.

Coseley East ward member Councillor Susan Ridney criticised the council and questioned why bosses could find the cash for a new archives building but not to save the baths.

And Mr Guest added: "Everything this council does is a shambles."