Portsmouth City Council (PCC) has insisted a Olympic-sized swimming pool at the city's Mountbatten Centre is the correct length.

The complex was relaunched in summer 2009 following a £20m refurbishment, which led to the creation of the 50m, eight-lane pool in a bid to provide Olympic training facilities. According to media reports, however, opposition councillors have claimed that the pool falls two inches short of the required length to accommodate elite performers.

PCC member for culture, leisure and sport Lee Hunt said: "The Mountbatten Centre pool was developed in partnership with national sporting bodies and was designed as Olympic training venue capable of holding up to national competitions. "It is an Olympic-length 50m, eight-lane swimming pool. The pool is certified by the Federation International de Natation and the Amateur Swimming Association as being 50.03m in length. This extra 3cm allows for touch sensitive time pads."