JOY in Leominster over the town's bright prospects for a new swimming pool is likely to contrast with bitterness in Bromyard following a meeting of Herefordshire Council's cabinet today,(Thursday).

Council chiefs look likely to approve pool construction in Leominster but Bromyard, struggling for a swimming pool for years, is likely to be left with little hope.

Proposals for a town pool are being shelved indefinitely.

A cabinet position statement for today's meeting says: "The pool to be built in Leominster will be the only swimming pool to be built in the county for the foreseeable future. It is not intended to progress with suggestions for other pools at this time."

Peter Dauncey, one of Bromyard's two county councillors, said the decision would cause anger and disappointment.

A July motion to the full council from Councillor Dauncey and colleague, Bernard Hunt, called on the authority to recognise the "overwhelming support" by Bromyard people for a pool.

It urged the council to give maximum backing and to investigate a Bromyard scheme while Leominster's was being prepared.

The text of the motion was included in today's cabinet report but the document did not pay lip service or give a minimal recognition to the idea of a Bromyard pool.

Councillor Dauncey protested the council was "out of touch." As in the past under Malvern Hills council, Bromyard was being "left out in the margins," he claimed.

"The council is keen on equity on issues like car parking charges but not when it comes to facilities," he added.

"We wish Leominster well - it's the biggest town in North Herefordshire and is the obvious place to build a pool. But the people of Bromyard are going to be desperately disappointed."

Leominster's pool will cost more than £2 million but there is no a full estimate as tendering process is about to start. The building contract will be awarded next March.

Roy Stockton, cabinet member responsible for the pool, said he was confident approval would be given today for the project to go out to tender in January.

lKingspan Insulation of Pembridge is the latest company to respond to the Leominster pool appeal, with £1,000 towards the £250,000 public contribution.