Children should not be in changing rooms on their own

I WAS shocked to read that Anne Michaelides believes it would be appropriate and safe for children as young as three to use leisure centre changing rooms on their own.

Did she expect her own sons to do this when they were three?

The thought of my (almost) three year old son being left on his own in an unfamiliar room full of strangers and with easy access to the poolside absolutely leaves me cold.

If he managed to get changed by himself and without screaming the place down in terror (which is unlikely), what then? Do I leave him to wander about by the pool by himself until I arrived?

I would never leave him or my five-year-old alone in a potentially hazardous environment.

The guidelines permitting children up to eight to change with their parents or guardians are there for a reason and if the age limit were to be lowered then many families (including mine) would simply not be able to swim.

Catherine Dodsworth, Sale

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