Most competitions take place in 50m pools

Finance Secretary John Swinney will meet city councillors and officials amid fears the �23m project could collapse because of a lack of funds.

Aberdeen Council is pressing for backing from the Scottish Executive.

Double Commonwealth gold medal winning swimmer David Carry, who grew up in Aberdeen, said a 50m pool would have helped his career.

Next generation

He said: "I hope that one day Aberdeen does have a 50m pool because I have had to do a lot of travelling and had a lot of expense to go training in 50m pools.

"It is very important because all the competitions are swum in a 50m pool.

"I have used the example of Paul Lawrie practising for the Open on a pitch 'n' putt course.

"It is so different that if you are serious about creating the next generation of swimming stars there has to be these 50m pools."

The proposed 50m swimming pool would be an extension to the Chris Anderson Stadium site at Linksfield.