I am not well-informed about sport but I understand the British swimming team did not do very well at the Athens Olympics.

It cannot be denied we have very poor provision of swimming pools in the UK and it is high time that we put this right. In Brighton and Hove we simply do not have enough public swimming pools.

The King Alfred pool in Hove is too small and overcrowded so, clearly, we need more pools. But where to build them?

It so happens many churches in the city will become redundant due to the seeming inexorable decline in their congregations. I take no pleasure in this but it seems to be an objective fact. If and when these churches are closed, the question is, what shall we do with them?

I suggest some of them be considered for conversion into swimming pools. I speak in particular of one church I know and love - All Saints, in The Drive, Hove.

I understand it has been earmarked for closure and I am very sad about that. However, if it is closed it does present an opportunity.

It is a beautiful building with a large area and volume and so could be a prima facie candidate for conversion into a swimming pool.

It is a fine building and must never be considered for destruction or conversion for an unsuitable purpose.

It is in an area of high density of population but with reasonably wide roads and not far from Hove Railway Station and bus routes.

As far as I know there are no bodies buried at All Saints.

I have not consulted the church authorities, either at diocesan or local levels, about my proposal.

However, I am in good contact with God and he assures me he would smile upon any proposals to turn this church (or indeed any other) into a swimming pool or any other facility that would enhance the physical and social health of his flock.

He tells me he is not happy with the senseless destruction of beautiful buildings in Brighton and Hove and elsewhere and the seemingly endless provision of more and more drinking places, casinos and other life-unenhancing establishments.

He is particularly concerned by the lack of suitable places for young people to attend and enjoy meaningful and happy pursuits.

I commend my proposal to Brighton and Hove City Council, religious bodies and the general public.

While I am in full spate, I suggest there is no good reason why every secondary school in the UK should not have its own swimming pool.

We all know we could afford this if our Government stopped spending taxpayers' money on bombing and invading other countries whenever it wants to distract our attention from problems at home.

-Colin Bennett, Hove