CAMPAIGNERS say they are confident they can save a York swimming pool from closure - but need more volunteers to come forward to help them achieve their aim.

The Friends of New Earswick Swimming Pool (FoNESP) says that the pool in the village north of York was built 50 years ago but is generally in good condition.

“With a continued programme of maintenance and development, it can continue to be an important part of the village of New Earswick for many years to come,” said joint chairman Andrew Calverley.

He said the Friends were working closely with - and had had a number of positive meetings with -the pool’s owners, the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, which announced last autumn the pool was to close from this March as it was losing £132,000 a year and would cost £1.3 million to renovate.

Mr Calverley said: “We are confident that with continued support and advice from the JRHT, by promoting the pool properly and by implementing proper energy saving routines we can make a success of maintaining the pool as a successful community resource.”

The trust said recently the pool would stay open until the end of the summer term in July, giving the Friends time to complete ‘robust and carefully considered’ plans.

Mr Calverley said the Friends were harnessing a wide range of professional expertise including pool management, building and equipment maintenance, business management, legal and accountancy but were now looking to expand their team of volunteers.

“The bigger the team, the less work for everyone,” he said, urging anyone who had time to offer and wanted to help keep the pool open to email friendsofnewearswickpool@gmail.com or visit representatives at the Open Shop, Hawthorne Terrace, New Earswick (the old post office) between 4.30pm and 6.30pm tomorrow or between 2 pm and 4 pm on Saturday.