VOLUNTEERS who rescued their local swimming pool from closure have celebrated the first year of its success.

Campaigners in Weardale fought a year-long battle to save the pool in Wolsingham after Wear Valley District Council announced it could no longer pay a £20,000-a-year subsidy.

A group was launched - Wolsingham Community Pool Limited - and has been running the facility, in the grounds of the comprehensive school, with the help of volunteers.

On Monday, the group held a birthday party, giving youngsters a free goody bag.

Maggie Deytrikh, a director of Wolsingham Community Pool Limited, said: "It is fantastic to see how well the pool is used. It has been a very successful year and the community has really got behind us in a show of support.

"In the past year, we have had 16,000 swimmers and have enrolled more than 100 children in swimming lessons. All of the hard work has been fantastically worthwhile."