As chairman of Worthing Swimming Club I am horrified at suggestions the Aquarena may be closed as part of the council's cost-cutting proposals.

The club was established in 1890 and has always provided swimming tuition to thousands of children from the town and surrounding areas.

We currently have 550 members and closure of the Aquarena will deprive them of the opportunity to learn the essential skills of swimming. Without the Aquarena the club will no longer be able to exist.

Closure will also affect local schools, who are obliged, as part of the national curriculum, to provide swimming lessons. I cannot stress enough the importance of children learning to swim - particularly in Worthing, which is on the coast and bordered by the fast-flowing Adur and Arun rivers.

Throughout its history, Worthing Swimming Club has achieved much success. Angel Barnwell reached the final of the women's 100m freestyle at the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.

Another international who swam at the club was Duncan Goodhew. Currently the club has the best water polo and diving squads in the county.

Personally, I have been given the tremendous honour of being nominated as president elect of the Sussex County ASA for 2005, the first member from Worthing to hold this office since 1977. The county has 27 thriving clubs. It would be sad if, in the year I am president, there is one fewer club in the county.

Views are being sought from some 3,000 residents of the town. I urge all who receive the questionnaire to return it indicating they do not want the Aquarena to be closed.

-Peter McCallum, Worthing