A Cumnock swimming group that could go out of business after 60 years has appeared turn down an offer to run the club at a nearby leisure centre.

Cumnock Dolphins Swimming Club announced that the club faced the end of its existence following the news that Auchinleck Leisure Centre is due to close later this month.

The club had used Auchinleck for a number of years and, following a council decision to close the facility and demolish to former Auchinleck Academy building, they would then have had nowhere to train and work from.

Hundreds have signed a petition looking for the decision to be changed.

READ MORE: Council confirms plans to demolish former Auchinleck Academy

The team at Visions Leisure Centre in Cumnock offered the swimming club availability at the pool.

Kaye Hannah, chairperson of Cumnock and District Leisure Group and Anne Hendry, Visions Centre manager, said they reached out to the group and offered them to "let them help".

However, a social media response from Cumnock Dolphins Swimming Club appeared to turn down this offer, pointing to previous experiences.

READ MORE: Cumnock leisure centre struggling with costs as council offers support

They said: "Thank you so much for your kind offer of help but due to past experiences we do not think that Cumnock Dolphins and Visions are compatible.

"We hope with extended opening hours you will be able to welcome individual swimmers. Good luck for the future."

Anne Hendry also added that class pricing is something that is being discussed at the centre.

She said: "We felt obliged to match what customers were paying at Auchinleck, should it close before the end of March 2024.

"A decision was them made to close Auchinleck without further consultation with us.

"With the recent announcement by cabinet that Visions' upgrades planned had been withdrawn we are still unsure regarding the sudden closure."