CAMPAIGNERS battling to save a town's swimming pool have devised an action plan.

The Shildon Community Pool Group held its first meeting at the Resthouse in Hackworth Park, in the town, on Tuesday night where committee members revealed they were determined to save the pool, which has been closed since January.

Sedgefield Borough Council had been running the pool after it was earmarked for closure by Durham County Council, which owns the building.

But the authority decided to shut it and hand it back to the county council after it developed a leak at the beginning of the year, saying it could not afford the costly repairs.

Now members of the newly-founded steering group are hoping to come up with a rescue package which may lead to them running the pool as a charity.

They will meet next week to put the final touches to a questionnaire which will be sent to homes in the town to see how many people would be interested in using the pool on a regular basis.

Chairman of the group, John Smith, said that the county council would only consider leasing the building to them if they were to come up with a feasible business plan.

They will also have to find money to carry out a condition survey and maintain security on site.

Councillor Smith said: "We have arranged to draw up a short- list of consultants to get some quotations in for a feasibility study and survey at the same time and we will look at who we may be able to apply to for funding.

"We are determined to do what we can to save the pool. It is a vital part of the Shildon community and our children need somewhere to learn how to swim."