PROTESTORS voiced their anger last night at plans to slash opening hours at a Southampton swimming complex.

Council chiefs are considering the cost-cutting measures as part of this year's budget.

But more than 80 people turned out at a meeting to grill leisure supremo Councillor Peter Wakeford on the proposals for Oaklands Swimming Pool.

More than 100,000 people used the complex last year to help it achieve a record turnover.

Southampton Lifesaving Club leaders, which use the site as its base, warned they may even have to fold if hours were restricted.

Council officers said more than £60,000 could be saved by changing the hours it was open, which could see opening times restricted during evenings and even weekends.

Peter Hollis, headteacher at Oaklands Community School, which hosted the meeting, said: "I use it every weekday morning myself. I feel the pool is very important for the local community.

"These proposals could mean an approximate one third reduction in hours of opening. That will have a significant effect on people who use it."

Judith Yandell, chairman of Southampton Lifesaving Club, said: "The proposals would probably mean the club would have to close.

"Figures from the Royal Lifesaving Society show that 450 people drown every year in this country.

"Surely the priority is not to make savings but to help a facility that will help save lives."

The decision on whether to decrease the pool's opening hours will be made at next month's budget meeting.

Campaigners in other parts of the city have also launched battles to save St Mary's Leisure Centre and stop football pitches in Southampton being axed.

Councillor Wakeford revealed at last night's meeting that one of the original ideas from officers was to close the pool completely.

He said: "Closing this pool is not an option, we dismissed that straight away.

"I want to champion sport and leisure. I didn't come into local government to close things down but I have pressures in the council that I have to deal with."

Dave Pragnell, chairman of Eastleigh Swimming Club, which uses the complex, said: "I think the council needs to ask itself the question 'Do you want sporting champions to come from Southampton?"