PROTESTERS battling to save two swimming pools will quiz the politician responsible for sports facilities in the area.

PROTESTERS battling to save two swimming pools will quiz the politician responsible for sports facilities in the area.

Renfrewshire councillor Eileen McCartin has agreed to face her critics at a public meeting about the council-run baths in Johnston and Elderslie.

Renfrewshire Council recently ruled both facilities were to be axed, claiming the pools are under-used and badly in need of costly upgrades. Instead a state-of-the-art pool is being built at Johnstone High for use by both communities.

Local politicians who backed the closure plan have been invited to a public meeting on Thursday at East Gate Church in Glenpatrick Road, Elderslie, from 7pm.

Councillor McCartin is deputy leader and responsible for leisure in her role as convener of the local authority's community and family care policy board.

She said: "These plans are part of an overall investment of £92million in leisure and education across Renfrewshire."

Lorraine Brown, secretary of the Save Our Swimming Pools Campaign Group said the meeting would "open up a channel to constructive dialogue with Renfrewshire Council/ Renfrewshire Leisure regarding regeneration and swimming pool provision".

Last week council leader Derek Mackay told the Evening Times how the proposed pool closures were part of a major £40m investment in sports facilities.