TWO coaches from the Cheshire Penguins Swimming Club based in Northwich have been suspended pending a hearing next month with Social Services.

Anne Calvert and Andy O'Gara have been suspended by the Amateur Swimming Association while an investigation is carried out into the club, which caters for youngsters and adults with learning and other disabilities.

The details of the case have not yet been made public but a panel hearing with Cheshire Social Services will take place in April.

Anne Calvert said: "This has affected a lot of people.

"It has devastated me because it is about people with learning difficulties. My whole family is devastated by this.

"The club is 110 per cent behind Andy and myself."

She added: "This is a result of a malicious allegation that has done a lot of damage. The club has had to close this week because it is affecting the lives of people who were keeping it going."

Steve Riley, treasurer of the Cheshire Penguins, said: "There is no truth whatsoever in the allegations.

"These are very difficult times for the club and a lot of damage could be done.

"The very future of our club is threatened by these allegations."

He added: "The two people concerned received notices of suspension from the ASA about four weeks ago but they didn't tell us the details of the offences."

A spokesman for the ASA said: "Two people have been temporarily suspended under child protection and vulnerable adult procedures. We are continuing to work with all agencies and the investigation is ongoing."

Cheshire Penguins provides the only swimming club in the county for people with disabilities and has more than 60 members.

It has been running for 22 years and Anne Calvert has been involved from the beginning.

Cheshire Penguins holds classes twice a week at Sir John Deane's College in Northwich and members regularly attend swimming events across the country. The club even attended a gala in Florida in October last year.

In June last year, the Penguins were awarded £7,000 from the Guardian's parent company, Gannett, to pay for a minibus.

phennessey@guardiangrp.co.uk