AN action group is drumming up support for its campaign to reopen a doomed village swimming pool.

Fishburn pool is to close on July 19, as part of a £3.5m package of savings by Durham County Council.

A group of villagers has got together in a battle to save the pool from permanent closure.

The Fishburn Community Pool Project has been formed to see if there is any possibility of it taking over the running of the pool.

A feasibility study has already been put together by consultant Neil Cunningham and a public meeting is to be held tomorrow.

Organisers are seeking volunteers to offer their services on a management committee.

The group will need to raise about £200,000 to run the pool and are hoping to apply for a series of grants.

Project member Christine Luke said: "The pool is going to be closing, but the water is going to be kept in and that does not do any damage, even if it takes us a year to get it off the ground."

The pool is one of four at primary schools in County Durham selected for closure in an effort to save £3.5m in maintenance repairs. The others are in Shildon, Kelloe and Barnard Castle.

Councillor Kester Noble, who is backing the project, feels there is a need for a pool in the village.

He said: "I think there is an established community use there at the moment, with things like aerobics, mother- and-toddlers groups and GP referrals. It would be a shame if that service disappears.

"It is well used by the community and it's very beneficial for certain groups. We are targetting those who are going to use it.

"Now it's up to us to take it forward another step by creating a business plan that will make sure it's sustainable."

Coun Noble said: "We need people who are prepared to sit on a management committee to come along to the meeting.

"We only need about a dozen, but we need people who can give their time and commitment to take the project forward."

The meeting will be held in Fishburn Youth and Community Centre, at 7pm.