Fylde Council leader Coun John Coombes announced yesterday "a solution" had been found to secure the future of both Kirkham and St Annes baths at no cost to the taxpayer.

But it has now emerged the deal would only see the YMCA take over the running of Kirkham pool and not St Annes.

The deal to secure Kirkham Baths' future remains subject to Fylde Council cabinet's approval and a final decision from the YMCA.

Only then, if the Kirkham deal was a success, would the possibility arise a similar deal could be struck to re-open St Annes Pool.

John Cronin, executive officer of Fylde Coast YMCA, said: "Fylde Coast YMCA is still in negotiations with Fylde Council and as such no arrangement to re-open the swimming pools has been agreed thus far.

"Fylde Coast YMCA will continue with the ongoing discussions with Fylde Council to secure public swimming in Fylde.

"Some progress has been made, but as yet nothing official have been agreed."

This came after some leading councillors, including the cabinet member with responsibility for the pools, claimed the baths had been "saved".

"Kirkham Baths has been saved and St Annes will be open again very soon," Coun Simon Renwick said in a statement yesterday.

Such an announcement has now been slammed as "premature" and "jumping the gun".

Opposition councillor, Coun David Chedd, said: "This announcement raises more questions than answers. Let's have the full story so that staff and swimmers know what is really going on."

Kirkham ward councillor Elaine Silverwood added: "They have jumped the gun on this.

"It was totally disrespectful, unprofessional and premature to make an announcement to the press about the pools without consulting the YMCA and Rural Splash."

Rural Splash, a group of councillors and residents who want to take over the running of Kirkham Baths as a charitable trust, are currently in negotiations with the council.

Sources inside the group expressed unease at the timing of the council's announcement and are now appealing for clarification on the position.

The group requires a subsidy of £120,000 to execute its business plan. Under the council's YMCA plan there would be no such public cash injection.

St Annes Pool campaigners said they remained hopeful a deal with the YMCA would be a success.

All concerned said they had renewed hope Kirkham Baths would remain open and St Annes Pool, which closed in July as part of council cut backs following a budget overspend, would re-open in the future.

Coun John Coombes said: "We have found a scheme whereby the pool at Kirkham could be retained and are still in negotiations with interested parties to ensure that a partnership is forged to drive the scheme forward.

"The talks will continue once the Cabinet agrees to the scheme, which we strongly expect to happen.

"Provided all groups are then happy with the proposals the plan will then be put into action.

"There is still work to be done to finalise the agreement but we have now crossed the biggest hurdle and we are very confident the issue will be resolved."