Around 200 council-owned pools will remain closed following the second lockdown, new research has revealed.

Swim England said the continued closure of pools is a ‘catastrophe for the health and wellbeing of the nation’ and called on the Government to provide more financial support.

Jane Nickerson, Swim England CEO, said: ‘It’s imperative that the Government and local authorities look at this issue and prevent it from becoming a catastrophe for the health and wellbeing of the nation.

’Aquatic activity can help save the NHS and social care system hundreds of millions of pounds every year so it makes no sense to keep these facilities closed for another prolonged period of time when they can open their doors again.’

The figures mean that half a million people who swam regularly before the coronavirus pandemic will not have access to their local authority owned pool.