ANGRY senior citizen swimmers from Inverclyde say they will now pay double the amount OAPs in Largs do for a dip in the pool.

The decision by the council to end free swimming for over-60s has provoked a backlash - and now pensioners are warning of a mass exodus from local pools for Largs, where it costs half the price.

Council bosses have been slammed for axing free swimming, with almost 1,000 people signing a petition against the decision.

Campaigners are warning that they could force older people out of the pool, put their health at risk and force them to rely more on services.

Inverkip couple Jack and Susan Kelly, who are lifelong swimmers, are two of the people upset over the move - and cost comparisons.

Jack, 77, of Kinloss Place, said: "We swim four times a a week at the Waterfront.

"We will now have to pay nearly £30 a month to swim in Inverclyde but down the road in Largs it is only £15 - that just isn't right.

"People would be better off going down there in a bus.

"Your GP tells you to keep active and go swimming but at the same time the council stop free swimming and we will need to pay more than £300 a year.

"What about those who can't afford it?

"There are pensioners who have to heat their house instead."

Inverclyde Council has pointed out that more than half of those taking part in a recent budget public consultation supported the removal of the subsidy.

Pool bosses Inverclyde Leisure have also had their funding cut by £102,000.

They argue that their prices - which are also set to rise from next month - reflect the cost of providing a full range of services at a time when they are operating with one of the lowest funding subsidies in Scotland.

David McCorkindale, head of leisure and community facilities, says customers can get unlimited swimming in all three pools and access health suites for less than £7 per week, while unlimited swimming memberships are available in the Port for less than £5 per week.

He added: "You can’t compare other swimming pools to Inverclyde as they all have different funding and management agreements.

"Largs Pool only opens early two days per week and we have a pool open every morning from 7am, which the pensioners enjoy.

"Also North Ayrshire Leisure receive around a 44 per cent management fee from their council, which is far higher than Inverclyde Leisure’s 19 per cent contribution.

"North Ayrshire also don’t offer unique open air pools that are heavily deficit funded."