HELMSLEY open air pool has been awarded more than £100,000 of funding towards securing its future.

Last year a working group was set up to raise funds to save the pool, which is a registered charity.

Chris Parkin, a member of the group, said: “The pool was on its last legs and required considerable sums of funding.

“Fortunately we have managed to secure more than £100,000 through the LEADER project.

“This will enable us to start work on the pool after we close in September.”

Chris said they would be initially starting work on the pool tank and re-plumbing around the edge. Resurfacing of the pool surrounding would also take place, along with a new fence.

“After that we will be looking at securing further funding to carry out work next year on the office and toilets,” he said.

Chris said so far they had had a busy season.

“It has been an incredible year with the good weather and we have also had a number of special events, including aerobics, moonlight swims and aquathons,” he said.

“The children from Helmsley Primary School also also took part in a sponsored swim to raise funds for the pool.”

Chris said that as a charity they also needed help with the day-to-day running of the pool.

“Lidos across the country get much needed revenue from the sale of teas and cakes, so we are expanding our catering facilities and looking for people to bake a cake,” he said.

“We also need ‘heatwave helpers’ during periods of hot weather when the pool can hold up to 100 people and we need extra people to help with reception and maintaining the changing rooms.

“Volunteer lifeguards are also needed as our staff are mainly students which is one of the reasons we have to close at the beginning of September.

“We would like to extend our opening so would like to hear from anyone interested in becoming a volunteer lifeguard.”

For more information about Helmsley open air pool, go to helmsleyopenairpool.org