A LIFESAVING group that has taught people vital skills for more than 60 years is facing closure because council leisure bosses have increased pool hire costs by 50 per cent.

Southampton Lifesaving Club, which meets every week at city council-run Oaklands Pool in Lordshill, used to pay £49 per two-hour session, but that bill has risen to £75 - and the club cannot afford to pay up.

Its income consists of a £150 per year sponsorship from Paultons Park and a £1.50 fee per session from members.

The group was set up in the 1940s.

It has about 50 members, aged between eight and 70, on its books.

David Jones, 26, who has been a member of the club for ten years, says it can afford to pay its current bill but is struggling to find an alternative venue to Oaklands, which it has used for the past decade.

Mr Jones said: "We provide a valuable service to the community, helping people learn to save lives.

"There is no way we can afford this. We believe this is totally unacceptable, especially given that our club has been around for decades.

"All of our teachers are volunteers and our only main outgoing is pool hire, so there is no way we can save money by cutting back on anything else."

Earlier this month, the Daily Echo revealed details of price rises which have hit sports and leisure services in the city, with some clubs facing nearly a 100 per cent rise in venue hire.

The increases, which are expected to raise an extra £95,000 a year for council coffers, followed a decision by the city's ruling Liberal Democrat Cabinet.

Leisure bosses say the rise at Oaklands pool is "regrettable" but in keeping with costs elsewhere in the city.

A council spokesman said: "There has been a standard price increase for clubs this year. Southampton Lifesaving Club has had a higher increase than other clubs to use the pool due to their discounted rate, which they have benefited from for more than five years. This increase now brings them in line with all other clubs' prices."