BOSSES at a community swimming pool have sparked outrage by holding men and women-only sessions - for "cultural" reasons.

The gender-segregated time slots will be offered on Friday evenings at the Inspire Sports Village in Luton, Bedfordshire, built using taxpayer-funded Olympic money.

The move, which benefits the town's large Asian population, will give men exclusive access to the larger 50 metre competitive pool, while women will only be able to use the smaller 20 metre community pool.

One outraged female swimmer, who did not wish to be named, said: "The Friday night session for everyone is now closed because of the listed men-only sessions.

"I have asked a team leader about it - as there are no managers at the weekend - and he said it was a 'cultural thing'.

"Why has one section of the community in Luton been allowed to dominate and take over the best pool in the borough?

"I like swimming in the competition pool after a hard week at work on Fridays and now I can't without any discussion and very little advanced notice."

The gender-segregated sessions are being advertised as "Alhamdulliah swimming" on Facebook, a Muslim phrase which thanks God for his blessings.

Posters promoting the event, which were implemented last Friday, strictly ask that "navel to knee must be covered".

The poster states: "The Strong Believers presents Men's Swimming" from 8.30pm until 9.30pm where "kids, adults, beginners and pros all welcome".

Classes cost £3.50 for adults where men have access to the lanes and £2.50 for children who have access to the shallow area of the pool.

The women's sessions take place later in the evening and are more expensive, starting at 9pm through to 10pm and cost £3.80 for adults, and £2.60 for children.

Women not wanting to use the community pool are reportedly being told to use other nearby swimming pools.

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People shared their strong views of the decision on Facebook.

Linda McDermott wrote: "Going backwards#lutonwomensrights"

Laukan Creasey added: "They should learn to tolerate other people."

Michael Brown said: "There have been Woman-Only Gyms and Woman-Only sessions for years, the men are playing catch up.

"Of course, I disagree with both. Discrimination is discrimination, that means both for excluding men and for excluding women."

Another person, who did not want to be named, said: "Someone at Active Luton is behaving in an incompetent and provocative way by banning women from the best pool.

"They should be sacked, and a suitable arrangement should be found which gives everybody access to the best facilities, which they have paid for through their taxes."

Luton is believed to have a population of 258,000 people with the Office for National Statistics stating the town has a significant population of Asian descent.

Just over 14 per cent of the town is made up of people of Pakistani origin, 5.2 per cent Indian and 6.7 per cent Bangladeshi.

An Active Luton spokesman defended the move and explained that on Friday evenings, Inspire offered gender-specific swimming sessions - albeit men had access to the larger competitive pool.

He went on: "We regularly provide opportunities for different groups in our programme, including many different activities and swimming sessions.

"Active Luton aims to provide everyone in our community, regardless of age, ability or ethnicity, with affordable and accessible opportunities to get active in ways which suit their wide-ranging needs and lifestyles."

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