TWO town councillors quit the Labour party in "disgust" after the closure of a swimming pool and leisure centre.

Husband and wife Brian and Pauline Whitcombe said they felt "angry and upset" over the Labour-run Torfaen council's decision to close Blaenavon pool.

Storms tore the roof off the pool this time last year, and despite strong protests and a concerted campaign by residents, Torfaen council decided not to repair it.

The pool and leisure centre have now been demolished and a £15 million education and health centre is planned for the site.

Brian Whitcombe, aged 69, has been a town councillor for 25 years, in the Labour party for the last 11 years.

The retired engineering manager was a frequent user of the centre, and vice-chairman of pressure group BLAST (Blaenavon Leisure and Swimming Trouble-shooters).

Although the Labour group in Blaenavon supported keeping the pool, he said he no longer felt happy with the party.

He said: "The Labour-run council have taken away a vital facility. We had no satisfaction in talking to various members of the council - they didn't seem to want to listen."

Mrs Whitcombe, 61, a retired auxiliary nurse and a Labour town councillor for four years, added: "I felt very disappointed with the Labour-controlled council. They wouldn't listen to what the people of Blaenavon wanted.

"We are very upset. A big part of our lives has been taken away."

The couple will carry on as independents and both plan to stand again in May.

Their actions mean independents now make up the majority of Blaenavon town council, with ten members to Labour's six.

Neil Lewis, chairman of the Blaenavon Labour branch and a town and county councillor, said he is "very upset and disappointed" at their decision.

He said "They were valuable members of the Labour Party in Blaenavon and I have enjoyed working with them over the years."