Polo no! We have to go

The Blackburn Centurions, currently use Daisyfield Pools, Daisy Lane, Blackburn, to practise and for playing matches.

But they are being forced to move out of the town, for the first time since the team was set up in 1878.

Blackburn with Darwen Council says the decision was made because of health and safety fears over plastic roof tiles at the pool which have been dislodged by water polo balls.

But team coach and club secretary Chris Hyde said: "It's the end of an era in Blackburn. We're gutted. "

The team, originally known as Blackburn Swimming Club and Water Polo team, used to practise at Freckleton Street swimming pool. They were crowned Champions of England in 1923 and have used the Daisyfield Pools since the 1960s. Their new name was introduced to mark the club's centenary year in 1978.

The Centurions, practise once a week at the pool where they also compete in the Central Lancashire Water Polo League. But after a ball dislodged a roof tile which narrowly missed one of the players recently, the decision was made for the team to move to Darwen Leisure Centre.

They will start playing in Darwen in September and have temporarily suspended all their matches.

The council says replacing the tiles would cost between £4,000 and £5,000 and would involve closing the pool for a period of time. It is considering a number of alternative options, such as installing a net under the tiles to stop balls hitting the roof, and would welcome the team back to the pool if an affordable solution could be reached.

Steve Rigby, director of culture, leisure and sport for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "I fully support the decision to move the club to ensure the health and safety of all pool users."

Mr Hyde, 32, a support engineer, from Lammack, said: "There's been a water polo team in Blackburn since the late 1800s. We will still keep the Blackburn Centurions name and appreciate the health and safety concerns."