I AGREE wholeheartedly with J Hare's letter (EA, March 3).

My nine-year-old daughter and her friend went to the swimming baths on Saturday only to be told that as they didn't have a SwindonCard they would have to pay the adult price (£3.60) to swim instead of the child price (£1.50).

They came home most upset as I had only given them enough money for them to swim at the child price.

I was disgusted to find that they would be charged the adult price at only nine years old.

I went back to the baths with my daughter with the necessary form and armed with various documentation to prove who she was and that I was her mother and paid the £2 for card so she would be able to swim at the correct price for her age.

Unfortunately her friend was staying with us for the weekend, so I could not fill out a form for her and I had to pay the adult price for her.

It makes me wonder why I pay my council tax. I don't seem to get anything for my money.

I thought that by paying my council tax, entitled my family to use the council run facilities at an affordable price. It is insulting that we should be made to pay twice for this privilege.

The assistant at the baths said the card was to encourage more people to use the facilities as it offers discounts, but my daughter won't get a discount as she already swims at a concession rate.

I fail to see the logic.

Perhaps instead of giving themselves another extortionate pay rise, councillors should consider putting the money to good use and subsidising the council run facilities so more people can afford to use them.

(MRS) JOANNE SOLOMON

Curtis Street

Swindon