SPORT England’s concerns over a decline in the number of people swimming are being reflected in Warrington.

Results from a recent Active People Survey show the number of adults participating in swimming for 30 minutes or more a week has decreased by eight per cent nationally in the past two years.

And former Warrington Swimming Club coach Chris Byrne, now with Warriors of Warrington, admits the town is feeling the impact of cuts to funding.

“It’s a battle as costs go up,” he explained. “Ultimately it’s all about money. The government is cutting down on spending which affects the pool provider, Livewire.

“That gets passed onto the club and we anticipate costs going up over the next year or so.

“If anything it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

“Warrington Swimming Club is quite a small club run largely by volunteers, but the costs of running these clubs are high.”

With 2.6 million people swimming in England weekly, eight per cent represents a hugely significant drop in participants.

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price insists the Amateur Swimming Association must address the decline in numbers.

“I’m very concerned about the drop in swimming,” she said. “Swimming has lagged behind running and the gym in terms of offering an attractive, modern experience to people who want to play sport and exercise.

“That has to change and to change quickly.

“I am encouraged by the fact the current leadership at the ASA recognise the issues and want to work together to fix it. It needs to get on with it.”

Byrne, who has written to parliament about the cuts to funding, believes the ASA must do more to promote all disciplines of swimming at all age groups.

He is also confident encouraging more people to swim would ease the burden on the NHS.

“Swimming is a life skill – it could save your life one day. Every child should be taught to swim to some level,” he added. “You can do it until the day you drop.

“When Hazel Musgrove went to the Olympics we had a lot of girls coming along as they recognised the fact there was someone from our town at the Olympic Games – a lot of people were motivated on the back of that.

“A lot of children wanted to emulate Hazel, but I think the ASA could do a lot more to promote sports like water polo.

"When funding goes, it reflects in recruitment at the bottom level.”

The ASA’s group board chairman, Edward Lord, says the organisation is working to address the fall in participation levels.

“There is clearly a major issue and we will be putting all our resources into finding out both the cause of the fall in participation numbers and identifying how we can move quickly with our partners to reverse that decline.”

Chief executive Adam Parker added: “We are surprised to see such a fall in the number of those swimming regularly.

“We have already made a number of significant changes within our own organisation to ensure the ASA is fit to respond to these challenges, including a new programme of insight to help us attract new audiences and re-engage lapsed swimmers.

“We are working closely with our partners to identify and overcome any barriers that may exist.”