I RECENTLY took my nine year old son and his friend to Waterworld at Monks Cross.

Although the boys enjoyed more than an hour's swim, the whole experience was far from satisfactory.

I was charged £1 to be a spectator. My son is diabetic so I'm unlikely to leave him on his own. I pointed this out to the attendant - no reaction.

Of the six or so vending machines, only two were working, but they contained very little.

There were a few boys smoking in the doorways on the spectator deck which none of the staff appeared to notice or care about.

There was obvious bullying and intimidation by groups of kids in the water which seemed to go unnoticed by the three attendants on the main pool and 'lazy river' areas.

All of this with the added frustration of inadequate parking facilities when - shock, horror - York Wasps had a home match!

What will happen if or when York City FC join them at the Huntington Stadium?

With the possible closure of the Barbican on top of all this York leisure services must come up with something.

Sarah L Oxtoby,

Knapton Lane, York.

Updated: 11:11 Friday, February 15, 2002