Council rejects fresh Jedburgh swimming pool bailout

Ms Dorward said: “We have made an enormous effort to try and turn things around.

“Mostly I am sad because I think it is an irreplaceble loss to the community of Jed – an asset which has been part of the town for decades.”

She said she took a “crumb of comfort” from suggestions that the decision was a “reset” for the pool rather than permanent closure.

“The longer Jed remains out of commission, the less likely it is to open again,” she added.

Pool user Carol Henderson said it was a big loss to the area.

“It is not just the swimming lessons and the swimming, there are other classes take place at the pool,” she said.

“I have been doing aquarobics there for 25 years and the majority of people that come there are just beaming.

“I know fine that when I have to tell them next week there is no aquarobics they are going to be very, very sad.”