A SWIMMING group for people with disabilities and learning difficulties has to cut its sessions by half due to rising costs.

The Dolphins Swimming Club, which meets every Saturday afternoon at Five Rivers Leisure Centre, has been forced to scale back the number of sessions it offers to twice a month after the cost of hiring the pool increased last year.

Club secretary Mike Golding the club had enough capital funds to continue the service it provides for a while but now the money is running out and it can no longer afford to offer the same number of sessions without increasing fees.

The club, which has been running since 1982, currently has between 40 and 45 members and gives people the opportunity to swim if public swimming sessions are not really suitable for them.

It depends on volunteers to run it and, aside from members’ fees, it relies entirely on donations from organisations such as the Rotary Club and Masonic Society, which Mr Golding said have been a huge help in keeping the club going.

“The members are sad about it but a lot of them realise it’s better we do this rather than say we have to charge more,” he said. “Hopefully it means we can continue a bit longer.”

He said when the group was started Wiltshire Council didn’t charge it any fees for using the leisure centre, but the amount being asked has gradually increased over the years.

Anyone interested in joining the club or is able to help with funding can contact chairman Christopher McAnaspie on 01722 332398 or Mr Golding on 01722 327070