Hull Culture & Leisure centre (HCAL) workers, including lifeguards, were joined by a life-size cut out of Baywatch star, David Hasselhoff, at a demonstration to highlight their concerns over operational changes that would impact directly upon swimming safety.

HCAL are pushing through new unacceptable changes across Hull's leisure services, including implementing an imposed 'unpaid break' upon lifeguards, leaving swimmers without oversight from a qualified lifeguard.

The introduction of a new app, which members will be forced to use on their private smartphone, also limits staff abilities to respond to situations on site and forces them to other sites where they are not qualified to work.

Liz Marshall, GMB Organiser, said:

“HCAL are pushing though with implementing these changes despite them fundamentally putting Hull's leisure centre users at risk.

“GMB members will not stand by and allow these changes to happen.

“We took our campaign message directly to parents as they and their families enjoyed a summer holiday trip to Woodford pool.

“They were only too happy to join us in telling HCAL that swimming safety cannot be compromised."