ALL the excuses about closing The Water Place -- which shut its doors on Saturday for the last time -- simply won't wash.

Someone, somewhere should be publicly accountable for an expensive public facility that has to close after 14 years because it would cost too much to fix it.

There most definitely should be a central swimming facility to replace it. This should be provided by Bolton Council -- which is, after all, only spending the money that you and I have provided through rates and taxes.

I sincerely hope that all those local people who feel strongly about having a reasonably priced, accessible place to enjoy swimming will keep up the pressure.

Sadly, if they don't, I fear that getting a new pool for central Bolton will be completely dead in the water.

LAST SPLASH: Bathers, from left, Margaret Hulme, Rob Ranyard and Lilian Nealon have a final swim at The Water Place