Swimmers in costume drama

Swimmers who took a therapeutic dip at a a south Wales sports centre found themselves part of an unexpected costume drama - when their swimwear began to fall apart.

Dozens of mostly middle-aged and elderly swimmers were affected by the high chlorine levels in the pool at Bridgend Recreation Centre.

They paid me £25 compensation - but if the pool water can do that to your costume what is it doing to your skin?

Swimmer Fay Grew

And some of the swimmers - many of whom use the pool for health conditions - including arthritis - claimed they had been left with skin troubles.

The local council has offered compensation to swimmers whose suits and trunks disintegrated.

It says frequent tests are carried out on chlorine levels at the pool, and the incident involving the disintegrating costumes appeared to have been an isolated one.

However, some of the swimmers are still unhappy.

"My brand new swimsuit just fell apart after I used the pool," said 55-year-old Fay Grew who lives in the town.

"They paid me £25 compensation - but if the pool water can do that to your costume what is it doing to your skin?"

Pensioner Rose Hawes, 75, who is also from Bridgend, said: "They have given me £25 for my ruined costume plus one month's free membership.

"I have been complaining for years about the state of the place.

"My doctor has had to give me cream for a skin irritation and is puzzled about the cause."

The matter has been resolved and is being dealt with by our insurers

Bridgend Council spokesman

Grandmother Shirley Crick, 73, another local pensioner, said she was promised compensation but was still waiting for it to arrive after three of her swimming costumes disintegrated after using the pool.

However, Bridgend County Council has defended its actions, saying chlorine levels were tested several times a day at the pool.

"There appears to have been an isolated incident of costume bleaching," said a council spokesman.

"The matter has been resolved and is being dealt with by our insurers."