A CAMPAIGN to save a community swimming pool is one step closer to its aim.

Last year, Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust said New Earswick Swimming Pool would close this spring as it was running at a loss of £132,000 a year and would cost £1.3m to renovate.

Local residents and pool users were determined to try and save the facility, and founded the Friends of New Earswick Swimming Pool campaign group as a charitable limited company.

This week, the JRHT board met to discuss the group's business model and the future of the pool, and the outcome was positive for the campaigners.

A spokesman said: "Board members recognised the progress made by the Friends of New Earswick Swimming Pool in developing a business case which sets out their proposals for running the pool.

"The Board agreed that JRHT can now start discussions about the potential to transfer the pool to the FoNESP. Members were very clear that these discussions must establish a robust agreement, so they can be satisfied that the liabilities for the pool are transferred in full to the FoNESP."

The spokesman said the pool will remain open while discussions are ongoing, and chief executive of JRHT, Campbell Robb, said: "We are hopeful that by the end of the process the New Earswick community will take ownership of a thriving community swimming pool."

Andrew Calverley and Martin Richards, chairs of the campaign group, said: "Although we have produced a successful business plan there is still a lot of work to be done by both the Friends and JRHT to reach an agreement that meets the needs of both parties to ensure the handover is successful within a reasonable length of time.

"The original concept of the village of New Earswick by the Rowntree family is reflected in the range of amenities available to village residents, and the swimming pool is an important part of these facilities. The Friends expect that this transfer of responsibility will lead to a new and even more successful future for this valuable village resource."