Christopher Helyer, of South Embankment, Dartmouth, writes:

After years of fundraising and waiting on the part of so many people, Saturday, December 3, was a day for rejoicing and ­looking forward to swimming in the new indoor pool.

As a senior, the stated price of £1.70 seemed reasonable, although like our ferries and the indoor pool at Brixham, one has hopes for some further sort of concession plan in due course.

Imagine, then, my shock and disbelief when, 13 days later, I went for my first swim, only to find that the price had already increased by 258 per cent to £4.40. Furthermore, I was one of only three swimmers using this magnificent facility.

I subsequently discovered that a group of children, living near to the pool, had paid less than £2 for their first swim, but a week later returned home without a swim from their ­second visit, for which the charge would also have been £4.40.

What Dartmouth family can regularly afford £4.40 for one child to have a swim? Surely we all want to see a pool that is fully used, developing the potential for reducing the ­number of drownings each year, a cause espoused by many, including the RNLI.

Assisting the senior sector of our community to enjoy healthy exercise without undue stress on ageing joints ought also to be a priority.

I could be tempted to take a free bus ride to Brixham or Totnes to pay a more reasonable £2.70. However, I want to support our pool.

If our indefatigable Dart­mouth Indoor Pool trustees continue their splendid efforts on behalf of our community, it is my confident hope that good sense will prevail.