ICAN sympathise with Wendy Watkins (March 26) that the councils have not funded the repair of the LEA swimming pool, as pools nurture fitness, water safety, confidence and interactive skills among the community.

However, the councils have obviously given money to the Hereford Cathedral fund in the knowledge that it is a major tourist attraction.

After agriculture, tourism must be the next largest provider of wealth in the county, especially in a recession. I understand tourism is worth £410 million annually to Herefordshire, and this industry directly employs 8,000 people, plus many others indirectly.

Now that Herefordshire’s tourist industry has been given a boost, how about a rethink on repairs to the LEA pool to show that councils do have a balanced and dynamic overview of the needs of the population.

GEORGE WALKER, Poplar Road, Clehonger, Hereford