SWIMMERS will have to wait until the end of October before they can take a dip at Bromsgrove's Dolphin Centre.

The centre, damaged by fire on August 12, will be re-opened on a phased basis starting today with the sports hall.

The health and fitness suite will follow on Monday September 4 with the remaining areas, including the pool, at the end of next month.

The health suite, which houses the sauna where the fire started, will be re-built elsewhere in the complex as part of the major refurbishment programme.

The news was given to members of the council's recreation, tourism and amenities committee at a special meeting last week by head of leisure services, Robbie Hazelhurst.

He said forensic scientists were investigating the cause of the blaze, which is expected to cost insurers thousands of pounds.

Meanwhile, specialists are carrying out checks and will report on all systems and equipment at the School Drive centre.

Referring to previous chlorine leaks which have twice closed the centre this year, committee chairman Cllr Terri Matthews (Con, Furlongs) said: "We are very upset we have had a spate of incidents at the centre.

"But I can assure everyone who uses it that it is operated in a safe manner in line with industry standards and that recent problems have not been the result of a failure to undertake regular checks."

During the meeting Labour leader Cllr Peter McDonald (Uffdown and Waseley) called for Cllr Matthews to resign over the incidents and claimed an auditors' report into services had highlighted certain shortcomings.

Council leader Nick Psirides (Con, Norton) said the report was irrelevant and made no specific mention of the centre.

He added: "I consider Cllr McDonald's comments a pathetic attempt to make party political capital out of a sad incident that could have ended in tragedy."