Campaigners appear to have lost their fight for a swimming pool at the rebuilt Peers Sport Centre in Littlemore, Oxford.

The down-at-heel site, which is part of Peers Technology College, is to be flattened when work finally starts on transforming the school into a city academy.

The existing sports centre, which includes a swimming pool and squash courts, will be demolished.

However, Oxfordshire County Council, the education authority, and the Diocese of Oxford, the driving force behind the academy plans, are not planning to build a new pool or squash courts.

The Oxford Mail has been told the emphasis would be on football, dance and tennis.

Peers is expected to close next summer and reopen in September, 2008 as the Oxford Academy.

However the controversial plans have yet to be approved. Earlier this month, 30 OAPs turned up at the Town Hall to urge a rethink on the closing of Peers Sports Centre, fearing they would lose their morning swimming club, the Sunday Larks.

Oxford City Council deputy leader David Rundle tonight appeared to confirm their fears after meeting the county council and the diocese.

He said: "I made the case, but the numbers just would not add up. They don't envisage either a pool or set of squash courts being there."