SWIMMERS at Oxford's Barton Pool have claimed there are so many problems with facilities at the centre that many regulars have stopped going.

Despite the pool not yet having reached the second anniversary of its opening, swimmers said it is already looking "tired and scruffy".

One swimmer, Major Terry Roper, 59, of Claymond Road, who uses the pool in Waynflete Road every lunchtime, said: "Staff at the pool definitely do their best, but the problems are getting worse and worse.

"Things just aren't fixed when they go wrong.

"There is a shower there that has been out of order for at least 12 months and I do not think there has ever been a time when all the hairdryers have worked.

"The lane ropes are not always put out when they should be, which means it can often be too choppy in the water to swim properly.

"This means some people who used to come to the pool every lunchtime have now stopped coming."

Major Roper added: "The council is just not maintaining this pool as it should be.

"There is talk of adding a new gym facility, but the money would be better spent looking after the facilities which are already there. With things the way they are, it is definitely preventing people from using the pool, which is such a shame."

June Kuffour, 37, from Stowford Road, said: "Some things like the hairdryers do not work. Some of the lockers are broken.

"Things like that should not be happening - it should be maintained."

But Maureen Robertson, 46, from Fettiplace Road, said: "I think it is a really good facility. I have no complaints about it at all."

Swimmers at Barton Pool said it is busier than usual this month, as Temple Cowley Pool is being refurbished.

A spokesman for Oxford City Council said: "With the temporary closure of Temple Cowley we have seen many new people use Barton Pool and they have been pleased with the facility and have given our staff postive feedback about the site.

"We have nine showers in total at Barton Pool. Unfortunately, one shower has not been able to work due to vandalism and three of our six hairdryers have been taken out of action in a short space of time.

"We are aware of these issues and an officer from our maintenance team will be visiting Barton Pool and will look at replacing or installing new parts where applicable."