THE long-term future of a swimming pool appears to be in doubt after a survey confirmed that more than £1m would be needed for repair work.

Hetton Pool, part of the Hetton Sports Complex in Barnard Park, in the former pit village, was shut at the end of January.

The 35-year-old pool was closed to swimmers after debris from the crumbling ceiling was found in the pool.

Initial checks carried out on the Sunderland City Council-run pool revealed that all the ceiling tiles and insulation needed to be replaced.

However, details of a more thorough investigation into the entire roof structure have now emerged, which show that condensation has affected the steel work within the roof.

Council managers had been planning to carry out a feasibility study into building a replacement pool in the authority's former coalfield area, a study which is now being brought forward as a matter of urgency.

Paul Dobson, the city council's director of community and cultural services, said: "About £1.25m would be needed to carry out minimum structural roof repairs and associated works required to reinstate the pool at Hetton.

"This could take up to 12 months to complete and would require the complete closure of the facility during this period.

"We had previously committed to undertake a feasibility study to consider the replacement of a pool in the area. However, in light of the current situation at Hetton, it is considered appropriate to 'fast track' this study."

Consultants have been appointed to undertake the work, and within the next few weeks, consultation will begin with local people and organisations, with the authority promising "a comprehensive and inclusive approach" to the work.

In the meantime, the council says that the pool, which is used by 110,000 swimmers a year, more than half of them children, must remain closed for health and safety reasons.

Council officers are looking into whether swimmers can be accommodated at other nearby pools.

A potential threat to close the baths last year provoked a storm of local protest, with the town council collecting a petition against possible relocation of the baths to vacant land next to the sports complex in nearby Houghton-le-Spring.