A swimming instructor forced to retire because she turned 65 was today launching her own swimming school in defiance at council bosses.

After years of service, Jill Lambard-Brown was told she would have to leave her position at the council-run Motcombe Swimming Baths in Motcombe, Eastbourne.

Bosses at Eastbourne Borough Council informed her by letter that she would have to relinquish the position she has held for 13 years because she was about to turn 65.

Even though Mrs Lambard-Brown insisted she was fit, active and keen to continue, they refused and said they were merely following national guidance.

However, Mrs Lambard-Brown, of Downs View Lane, East Dean, near Eastbourne, was determined to help her loyal pupils so she has set up her own swimming school.

All 50 pupils who have joined her new school were under her tutelage at the Motcombe pool Mrs Lambard-Brown, a grandmother of seven, said: "Wherever I go, they said they would follow me.

"The reaction has been staggering. People have realised how ridiculous the situation is. Here I am, fit and willing to carry on working and the council has told me I cannot.

"It's even more staggering when you consider that central Government has said how people will have to carry on working beyond 65."

Mrs Lambard-Brown, a Salvation Army volunteer, was tonight due to hold her first class at Ocklynge Junior School in Victoria Drive, Old Town, Eastbourne.

She said: "Nobody is winning out of this. I'm not and the council certainly isn't. To get rid of me like that was disgraceful and many other people felt the same.

"After all, a swimming instructor is very much like a dentist to some people. They put their trust in you and to have that taken away is very distressing."

The upset began when Mrs Lambard-Brown received a letter in January saying she would have to retire because she would be 65 on March 17.

She enlisted the help of Eastbourne Tory MP Nigel Waterson, who accused the council of ageism in the House of Commons.

Despite letters supporting her, the council told Mrs Lambard-Brown it would not budge. She appealed twice but lost.

Now, with the council saying she cannot appeal for a third time, Mrs Lambard-Brown is talking to her solicitor about possible further action.

She said: "I asked the council to treat me as a special case because I'm the only permanent swimming teacher on the council but it has said no. I feel I have been discriminated against and prejudiced because of my age."

A council spokesman said: "We follow national guidelines on the retirement of staff and seek to treat everyone fairly. The council will employ people over the age of 65 if certain exemptions apply."