"I BELIEVE it's absolutely disgusting that residents have to go to another town that isn't the size of York."

Those were the words of Labour councillor Ken King, speaking ahead of a York swimming gala - which will be held in Beverley.

The Jorvik Gala - which dozens of children from York will swim at - will not be in a city pool as there are none with a viewing gallery large enough to accommodate the parents expected to watch the event.

About 300 youngsters and parents from York are expected to attend tomorrow's gala, which last year was held at Edmund Wilson Swimming Pool, in Acomb.

Children from York City Baths and New Earswick swimming clubs will take part in the all-day event in Beverley's new 25-metre pool - with a viewing gallery that can seat several hundred people.

Coun King, the shadow executive member for leisure on City of York Council, said: "I believe it's absolutely disgusting that residents of York have to go to another town that isn't the size of York and yet we don't even provide the correct swimming facilities for our children.

"The sooner the Liberal Democrats are ousted out of office the better, and I look forward to taking over as executive member for leisure to update the swimming facilities for York.

The Lib Dems came along and sold the Barbican at a knock-down price and are killing off the sports and leisure facilities - as soon as this is turned around the better."

However, councillor Steve Galloway, leader of the Lib Dem group, said: "If the organisers of the gala had wanted to hold it at Edmund Wilson, we would have done all we could to arrange that. Far from the Barbican being sold at a knock-down price, it was sold at around £8 million.

"The intention is to re-invest all this money into swimming and leisure facilities in the city. Part of that money will go towards the creation of a new competition standard pool with a substantial spectator facility at Heslington. Labour has no costed alternative to this at the present time."