A CIVIC amenity which opened in the austere 1930s is still going strong after seven decades of public service.

Durham City Swimming Baths has reached its landmark 70th birthday and despite several major overhauls remains largely as it would have appeared to early users.

Opened by Lord Barnard in September 1932, the baths, on Elvet Waterside, has attracted hundreds of thousands of local people and visitors down the years.

Originally opened for swimming, washing and as a bathhouse, it also provided a venue for boxing tournaments, with boards taped across the pool to support the ring.

Diving boards were introduced after the war at the deep end of the pool.

Hot coals were used to heat the water in the early days, with changing rooms, lining either side of the pool.

Although some of the changing and other facilities have undergone several updates, with the heating now gas powered, much of the pool area retains its pre-war feel, with the original glazed brick still in place.

The balcony railing decorated with seahorses, and wooden floor are also original features, while the restored ceiling with it's art deco look, is straight from the 1930s.

The two pools remain well used by locals and by Durham City Swimming Club, while the baths are also home to the city's waterpolo team.

To mark the anniversary, regular Monday morning swimmers, some of the baths' most regular users, formed a 70 shape in the water.

Councillor Dorothy Carruthers, responsible for leisure matters for the city Council, said: "The baths have been used by generation after generation in Durham and remain as popular today as they were in the 1930s.

"It's great to see so many youngsters and senior citizens enjoying keeping fit and having fun in our baths."