A PRIMARY school in York is spearheading a fundraiser to help raise money to save its local swimming pool.

Carr Junior School is hosting a musical evening at The Ebor Stand at York Racecourse, tomorrow, to help raise funds for the swimming pool that requires essential maintenance.

The pool, which opened in 1975, has seen a gradual deterioration over the years, with replacement costs in excess of £6,000.

Headteacher of Carr Junior School, Caroline Ryder, said: “The pool is used by the 300 school pupils a week, teaching swimming to the school ages of four to 11.

“The pool is also used by several swimming groups including Froggy Leg Swim, mum and babies sessions and other schools in the area.

“If this pool closes, parents will either have to travel across York for lessons or children in the Acomb area will miss out on the possibilities of learning to swim. It is unclear when the pool will become unusable so the sooner we repair it the more children we can continue to help learn to swim.

“Our pool acts as a fundamental tool not only for children’s physical development but also their confidence, providing them with a platform to develop a vital life saving skill. We invite friends old and new to come along and enjoy a magnificent evening's entertainment, whilst raising funds to benefit our young swimmers for years to come.”

As part of the fundraiser, local music group, Huge, will be performing in the Acomb suite at York Racecourse tomorrow.

Lead Singer Ian Donaghy said it would be a crisis if the pool closed because people will lose the opportunity to learn to swim.

He said: “I attended Lowfields School as a child and we used the swimming pool to learn to swim. It has helped people over the years to learn a valuable life skill. I hope this event can help raise the funds needed for it’s improvement and that everybody enjoys the night.”

Doors open at 7.30pm with Huge performing from 9pm. For information call 01904 798996 or email carrjunior@york.go.uk. Tickets are £18 and are available from the school office or via ticketing website, Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/huge-concert-tickets.