Scotland's swimming pools face an uncertain future unless they receive major re-investment according to a study commissioned by sportscotland.

Around £540m is needed by the year 2020, which equates to £25m a year, if they are to continue to serve the needs of the population. The findings are published in a report, The Ticking Time Bomb, a study of the scale of the problem, commissioned by sportscotland in conjunction with COSLA (the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities) and providers and managers of a number of Scotland's 338 public swimming pools.

The value of this report is to alert all concerned to the scale of the issue and to promote a co-operative approach to finding solutions, said Alastair Dempster, chairman of sportscotland.

While Scotland has a substantial supply of public swimming pools which are highly valued by local communities, facilities are rapidly deteriorating because of a lack of investment in refurbishment.

The Sports Lottery Fund has already committed £5m and a further £5m is needed to launch a £10m programme devoted to upgrading key swimming pools. Paul Bush chief executive of Scottish Swimming, urged people to work together to avert what could be a disastrous scenario for the sport of swimming and the people of Scotland.