The Victorian Society has hit out at Bradford Council’s reasons for proposing to shut what it says is one of the most important historical swimming baths in the country.

Closing Manningham Pool in Carlisle Road will save the Council £119,000 although it has offered the community the chance to come up with viable alternatives to keep it open.

Dozens of children at 11 schools (above) who use the pool on a weekly basis protested against the closure outside the pool yesterday and were joined by Victorian Society director, Dr Ian Dungavell.

Council leader Councillor Ian Greenwood has said it would take “a massive amount of money to improve or replace it” and the Council has no alternative but to close it.

But Dr Dungavell said: “No doubt there will be some maintenance required but when I last visited the pool two years ago it was obvious certain maintenance hadn’t been done so it’s partly their own fault.”

Victoria Rehman, a teacher at Whetley Primary School, said: “I don’t think they will go swimming if the pool closes. This is something we need to fight for.”

Bryan Harrison, head teacher of Miriam Lord Community Primary School, said: “We would have to travel all the way to Shipley at a cost of £5,000 a year so our children could go swimming.”