MAJOR subsidence close to Petersfield's popular open-air swimming pool is causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.

After a meeting with the National Rivers Authority, which is now part of the Environment Agency, it became clear that the subsidence was caused by the erosion of the Tilmore Brook bank.

The backlash has been cracks in the pool and such severe damage to the men's cubicles that they are now sinking.

Chairman of the Petersfield Open Air Swimming Pool committee Neville Snowden said he blamed development in the town centre as well as the incredible amount of rainfall over the winter.

He told The Herald that someone needed to "grasp the nettle" and make sure that the repair work is carried out as soon as possible.

He said: "What we are getting is severe bank erosion which I believe was made worse by the Waitrose building work that took place. This has not been helped by the terrible wet winter we have had.

"We have got cracks in the pool at the moment and the two end men's cubicles are sinking. On top of this the floor is cracking so we definitely need some work done there.

"I have to say that this is something that has been happening for some time and it has got worse with the increased amount of water flowing through the bank."

Mr Snowden said he feared the cost could be huge and that his committee was looking into who was responsible for the erosion of the Tilmore Brook bank.

He said: "At the moment we have no idea what sort of cost this is going to be, but it is not the sort of cost I am looking to bear.

"We are in discussion with East Hampshire District Council and the National Rivers Authority to see who is responsible for this.

"I would like to have the work completed in the near future but it is not something that has to be done in the next few weeks. At the moment it is a case of someone grasping the nettle."

At a meeting of the town council, swimming pool committee representative George Watkinson said a report from the pool's development officer revealed that the district council could be responsible for the cost of the damage.

Finding a separate authority to pay for the damage would be a major boost for Mr Snowden, who had to find extra funds when an £8,000 loss was announced at the end of last season, which was put down to the months of bad weather.

But generous donations allowed further improvement work in the close season.

This included a new sunbathing terrace and improvements to the men's changing facilities.

A further cost to the swimming pool funds will be £2,000 repairs to the diving board, which broke on the opening day of the pool.

Mr Snowden said discussions with East Hampshire District Council and the Environment Agency would continue.