A SOUTH Cumbria MP has injected new hope into securing a new pool for a 'forgotten' community.

Copeland MP Trudy Harrison has promised to ramp up efforts to secure a new pool for both Bootle and Millom.

Millom's swimming pool closed last year, while Bootle, where Mrs Harrison has lived since 2002, saw its pool shut in 2014.

Volunteers from the two areas were recently met with frustration due to the lack of success in raising sufficient funds for a replacement pool, but Mrs Harrison has offered her office to host a new group to ensure a new swimming facility is delivered.

Mrs Harrison said: "I’d like to thank those who have worked to secure funding.

"I know from personal experience how much time and effort these projects take."

Mrs Harrison confirmed the volunteers missed out on a target of £400,000 by only mustering around £100,000 for the new Bootle pool.

“It’s important to have quality facilities especially being both a coastal and river community.

“I’ll be ramping up efforts to secure a new pool for both Bootle and Millom.”

Millom mayor, Angela Dixon, also sympathised with volunteers raising funds for a replacement pool.

She said: “I was one of the many volunteers who fought for Millom’s pool.

“Millom and Bootle are probably the most isolated areas in the country and it seems we're always forgotten from any funding.

“It’s a disgrace and it boils my blood because now the closest pool for the children of Millom is in Ulverston.

“For school children learning to swim, it’s half a day of travelling to and from Ulverston, which is having a massive effect on the children’s curriculum."