DOZENS of campaigners formed a human chain around Victoria Leisure Centre in Sneinton on Saturday in a protest over its planned closure.

Mat Anderson, chairman of Save Victoria Baths, said: "We want to show the council that despite the decisions they have taken we are still adamantly opposed to them closing the leisure centre and demolishing it.

"It is vitally important for the community to have a leisure centre but I think it goes beyond that. There is a huge heritage bound up with the building in that it has served four or five generations of people.

"It is like a community hub and I don't think the council understands that at all."

After forming the chain with about 80 people for the symbolic protest, the campaigners went for a farewell swim.

The centre is due to close on April 1 ahead of a redevelopment which will see much of the existing leisure centre demolished a new one created.

The city council says the new centre will be of a much higher standard and will help bring more young people into sport.