The campaigners say there are no suitable alternative facilities in Pendle allowing them to swim and enjoy a sauna afterwards - and plan to raise the matter with Pendle Council.

Twins Martin and Trevor Baldwin, regular users of the Albert Road sauna, also dispute the costs of improving it put forward by Pendle Leisure Trust.

However, the closure decision has been defended by Mr Phil Storey, chief executive of the Trust. He said letters had been sent to all users announcing its closure from the end of August.

Mr Storey encouraged the 30 regular users to try the more up-to-date and extended facilities at the Inside Spa sauna in Nelson.



"When it was first opened, the sauna was an afterthought which we found a corner to fit it in. It has now got to the state where it needs investment and we have just opened a state-of-the-art facility two miles down the road. The council and Trust are spending a lot of money on repairs in all areas but this is only scratching the surface.

"It would take about £10,000 to bring the sauna back to a standard which I feel to be acceptable."