BUSINESS leaders in Morecambe have aimed a verbal volley at local Labour and Tory councillors for backing a tennis centre instead of Bubbles.

The Morecambe & District Chamber of Trade claim the public should be aware of the recent council vote on Bubbles which consigned the seafront swimming complex to history.

They have hit out at both political groups because they joined forces to defeat a proposal to use money earmarked for the tennis centre of excellence at Salt Ayre to save Bubbles.

Emphasising that the Chamber was non-political, the President Audrey Jones said: "The council has voted to spend money on new tennis courts at the loss making Salt Ayre Centre whilst at the same time closing Bubbles which is a most important part of Morecambe's tourist industry infrastructure. Tennis courts, however welcome an amenity, are not vital to any aspect of the district's economy.

"Bubbles on the other hand is a vital part of Morecambe tourism industry and without it the hard won gains of the last few years could be reversed overnight."

He added: "At a recent meeting with MBI councillors a large number of local business people unanimously voted to keep Bubbles open and to pay extra taxes to do so. They had a very sound democratic position arrived at by meetings and consultations with the businesses and people of Morecambe. History appears to be repeating itself. Twenty five years of neglect saw the Conservatives kicked out of Morecambe and eight years of incompetence and arrogant refusal to listen to the people saw the Labour representation reduced to a rump. The recent antics of both parties show that they appear not to have learnt any lessons."