Boys barred from pool due to 'dangerous trunks'

Three boys were banned from a swimming pool — because their trunks weren’t tight enough.

They were told their knee-length shorts were banned — because of health and safety rules.

Marc Smith, 13, brother Ryan, 12, and cousin Eliot Lee, also 12, were asked to change into “appropriate” tight trunks or go home by an attendant at Harlow swimming pool, Essex.



Marc and Ryan’s furious mum Amanda later rang the pool manager and was told their long shorts could hamper weaker swimmers.

Mrs Smith, 36, from Harlow, said: “I had the manager tied up in knots. He said the drag of the material could impede swimming. Surely it comes down to how good a swimmer you are?”

A spokesman for Harlow Council, which runs the pool, confirmed the shorts ban was for safety reasons.“This swimwear is designed for strong swimmers , as it creates extra drag. We have no way of knowing whether people wearing such shorts are proficient.”