The threat of a grey uprising appears to averted controversial plans to change the hours that over-50s can swim at Oxford's Peers Sports Centre.

Swimmers were outraged after seeing a sign at the Littlemore facility that warned Saturday morning hour-long free swimming was being moving to Sundays.

The notice then disappeared - and staff told swimmers there had never ever been any such plans.

On Saturday azswimmers returned to their pool and were told the proposals did exist, but had been shelved because so many people had voiced their opposition.

Kathleen Dean, of Cowley, said: "We were upset. People were quite startled by it really.

"I just think you do what you can to keep yourself fit and we thought it was being taken away from us."

Fellow swimmer Kathy Newman, 78, said: "I hope it will stay open. I won't go anywhere else, and I can't come any other time because it is inconvenient."

Sheena Townsend, 76, of Headington, said: "It is great it will stay open. I learned to swim here.

"Hearing it was to close on Saturday mornings was confusing and upsetting."

Last week Oxford City Council, which runs the centre, said the pool would remain open as normal - and accused regulars of misreading a sign about a suggestion to open later on Saturdays in order to save money. Then Steve Holt, the council's leisure manager, said the idea of closing on Saturday had never been discussed.

Jean Charleton, 69, of Littlemore, said: "I wasn't happy when I saw the notice, but they've changed it back so I'm pleased."

Ann Jaycock, 66, of Headington, added: "It's fantastic, it's what we all wanted."

Mrs Dean's husband Trevor, 72, said: "They are backtracking because they know people have started up about it."

The future of Peers Sports Centre has been in the balance since it was revealed the centre needed urgent refurbishment work.

It has been secured until the Oxford Academy opens on the site in September.

Mr Holt: "They have misread the notice, the centre is continuing as normal.

"There was a suggestion put forward by staff as a way of saving money.

"I do not know where the Saturday closure has come from, but it is not the case."

Staff at the swimming pool told the Oxford Mail a plan to close the pool in the mornings did exist, aimed at saving money on managerial shifts and staff overtime.

The proposals have now been shelved.