The architectural historian began his task, which will see him swim in each of England's listed Victorian and Edwardian public pools, at Bramley Baths, in Leeds, yesterday.

Dr Dungavell, director of national heritage charity the
Victorian Society, has put on his swimming gear to highlight the importance of historic public pools.

There are only 13 out of 50 listed Victorian and Edwardian pools still open to the public in England.

The last of eight public baths built in Leeds between 1899 and 1904, Bramley Baths is one of four listed such pools still available for public use in Yorkshire.

Dr Dungavell described it as "A distinctive and attractive building which has been lovingly restored.

"It is a great example of the contribution historic pools can make to communities as symbols of shared heritage and civic pride." The society says the pools are symbols of civic pride, and contain some of the country's best architecture and are repositories of memories and stories for many people who have visited them over the years.

From Bramley , Dr Dungavell will go on to visit the 12 other listed public pools in the country, rounding his challenge off at Dulwich Leisure Centre on Friday August 29.

The other baths he will visit in Yorkshire are: Beverley Road Baths, Hull; Batley Baths; and Queensbury Pool, Bradford.

Dr Dungavell added: "With well over 50 listed Victorian and Edwardian pool buildings dotted around England, it is shocking that only 13 remain in use and open to the public, whilst many of the others have been closed and left to rot.

"Pool buildings are notoriously hard to find new uses for. All too often, a decision to close them is effectively a decision to write these nationally significant buildings off."