SWIMMING groups are gearing up for another battle after figures revealed that cash raised from charging at the bathing ponds is set to fall well short of targets.

The City of London Corporation introduced the controversial £2 voluntary charges at the three bathing ponds on Hampstead Heath on July 1 last year.

With one month left to the end of the swimming season, Heath bosses have collected just £33,619 - a long way below the £80,000 target.

In autumn, the corporation will review all the original options for bathing on the Heath, which included closing the ponds to swimmers.

Sally Taylor, chairwoman of the Mixed Pond Action Group, said: "I think they will either make paying compulsory or cut the hours the ponds are open.

"I think if this starts again they will find a high level of resistance and the whole caboodle will start again." ...more ---> ...

| Hampstead Heath | 21 August 2006; 7:45:11 PM |# | | |