FOR more than a year, disabled Newport student Jonathan Hannah enjoyed his early-morning swim at Newport's International Pool.

Three times a week he paid the £1 concession price for his 6am swim to ease the pain from a degenerative back condition.

But last week Mr Hannah was told by staff at the International Sports Village in Spytty that the price had been wrong for 15 months, and unless he pays £2.40 a swim he is no longer allowed to use the pool before 8am.

Mr Hannah, 46, a photography student at the University of Wales Newport, is angry at the change in policy.

He said: "In the 15 months I've been swimming there not one person has picked up on this.

"I can't swim later because of university commitments, and I can't really afford to pay £2.40 a swim."

Mr Hannah has mechanical lower back failure after an accident in 2003.

He claims disability living allowance and walks with the aid of a stick.

Every year he pays £5 for a leisure concessions card allowing him cheap access to certain leisure facilities in Newport.

A Newport council spokesman said: "We are investigating Mr Hannah's complaint and will be speaking with him very soon to clarify any issues he has regarding the pool's policy."