DIGGERS moved onto the site of Millom Pool to begin demolishing the building.

The pool was officially being knocked down after Cumbria County Council confirmed they would be going ahead with the demolition.

A spokesman for Cumbria County Council said: “Cumbria County Council can confirm that contractors are on site at Millom swimming pool to start work on the building.”

Residents have branded the move ‘unlawful’.

A video emerged of two women heading onto the site to try to get footage of the demolition taking place, but they were quickly chased off by security guards.

Irene Rogan, a member of the Save Millom Pool group, who captured the video, said: “I’m astonished, dismayed and angry.

“We have been transparent with everyone, the public, the council and everybody else.

“There was no plan in place that we knew about that said it would be demolished almost immediately.

“I wanted to get the last moments of Millom Pool which is why I decided to record the video.

“Police were called after I was ushered away by security, even though I’d sat down to enjoy a coffee in the community cafe at this point.”

Another spokeswoman for the Save Millom Pool group said: “Again we have been disappointed with Cumbria County Council as they have let the town down again.

“We still can’t give up and our fight will carry on as we want a full judicial review.

“We think that the county council is stripping the town of all its facilities including those to do with mental health, obesity and more.”

County Councillor for Millom and Haverigg, Doug Wilson said: “It’s incredibly sad but I guess it’s a step along the way to getting a new pool built.”

Several meetings have been held surrounding the pool since it’s closure in July of last year.

The building was condemned after it was found that there were several structural failings, a water leak costing thousands a year to fix and both boilers close to failing carbon monoxide tests.

Recently a new health and wellbeing centre was proposed to replace the old pool due to the closure. Although this plan was supported by the town it could take years to get off the ground which has only added to frustration over the lack of pool.

Police were called to the scene of the demolition after disgruntled residents attempted to protest at the site before being ushered away.