SWIMMERS in Renfrewshire are being urged to cancel their bookings if they are unable to attend pool sessions.

The plea from bosses at Renfrewshire Leisure follows more than 300 people failing to turn up for swimming sessions they had booked last week.

Alan Cunningham, indoor leisure services manager, said many bookings are going to waste as a result of the high number of no-shows.

He said: “Unfortunately, in the past week 320 people – which represents six per cent of available slots – haven’t turned up for swimming sessions they had booked.

“We completely understand things can happen that mean people can’t come along for a booked swimming session but our swimming sessions are hugely popular and we would ask that, if you can’t attend a booked pool session, you cancel it as soon as possible.

“It means we can offer a place to another person or family who want to go swimming.”

Renfrewshire Leisure has been welcoming visitors back to its pools at the Lagoon Leisure Centre, in Paisley, ON-X, in Linwood, and Erskine Swimming Pool since they were allowed to reopen in late April as lockdown restrictions were eased.

The pool based at the Johnstone Community Sports Hub, which has been closed since March last year, remains shut as it awaits repairs.

Due to Covid restrictions, all swimming sessions must be pre-booked to accommodate the hygiene and social distancing measures in place at all venues.

Mr Cunningham added: “You can cancel your booking either online at www.renfrewshireleisure.com if you are a member or by phoning 0300 300 0250.

“Coronavirus protocols have meant the number of people we can have in our pools at any one time is restricted and we want to give as many people as possible the chance to enjoy our facilities.”