RYEDALE District Council has decided that the two local swimming clubs can continue to deliver learn-to-swim lessons.

At a meeting of full council at Ryedale House last night, attended by large numbers of Derwent Valley and Ryedale swimming club members, the council opted not to give a monopoly on lessons to leisure contractor Everyone Active (EA).

The decision marks the culmination of a lengthy battle for the clubs, who were told by EA last year that the company wished to enact its policy of being sole deliverer of lessons.

A review was launched by the authority which found that there was "nothing in the contract" with EA to give them a monopoly on lessons. It recommended that the social value of the clubs was such that they should continue to be able to deliver lessons.

This was then agreed by the authority's policy and resources committee and confirmed last night by full council.

More in Wednesday's Gazette & Herald.