A MUCH-LOVED swimming pool has been saved from imminent demolition after pressure from residents of a town swayed county council chiefs to reconsider.

At a public meeting on the future of Millom pool, which is based at Millom School, residents gathered to voice their support to save the facility - the only pool in the town - from being knocked down next month.

In the gathering chaired by the town's mayor, Jane Micklethwaite, politicians and Cumbria County Council representatives joined residents and the Save Millom Pool campaign group to discuss its future in a packed out Beggar's Theatre.

After campaigners called for the demolition of the pool building to be halted, county council officers resolved to delay any action over the summer so new talks could go ahead to decide whether it could be repaired and reopened - as campaigners want.

Michael Baker, senior programme manager at Cumbria County Council, which owns the building, said: "I am happy to delay the demolition over the summer."

The meeting heard that the pool was vital in ensuring children were able to learn to swim as campaigners warned that people would end up drowning if they swam in the sea nearby.

Irene Rogan from the Save Millom Pool group said: "We need this, otherwise we will continue to see people drowning.

"We have to ensure that children get the swimming education they need."

Trudy Harrison, MP for Copeland said: "It is important that children learn to swim and also that they do not develop a fear of water."

The pool building has been closed since last year because of health and safety concerns.

A survey found the pool was leaking water worth £17,000 every year and the roof was in danger of collapsing.

Repairs have been estimated by the county council at just under £300,000 but the campaign group presented plans to do the work for around £17,000.

The meeting was attended by county council officers Mr Baker and Gillian Elliott, who took questions from residents.

Campaigners called on the county council to allow them access to the building to see for themselves the scale of the disrepair.

But Mr Baker did not agree to this, saying he could not guarantee the safety of anyone who entered the building.

In an at-times fiery meeting, pool supporters jeered the county council offers who spoke.

Summing up the meeting, Trudy Harrison said: "The frustration, passion and dedication from the community has been channelled into positive action.

She added: "We need regular meeting to discuss the resurrection of the existing pool as well a separate project to plan a new pool."

Campaigners called on the county council to allow them access to the building to see for themselves the scale of the disrepair.

But Mr Baker did not commit to this, saying he could not guarantee the safety of anyone who entered the building.

Millom School refused to attend after headteacher Matt Savidge criticised the "destructive" Save Millom Pool group and raised concerns that the meeting would not be conducted in a "fair, transparent and objective way."

A joint statement from Mr Savidge and chair of governors Steve Newell said: "We believe the tone set by the group is likely to lead to a fractious, destructive and totally counter-productive atmosphere at the meeting."

The mayor of Millom, Jane Micklethwaite, praised the turnout for showing the depth of community spirit in the town.

She said: "This shows how much Millom people care about their community.

"It is clear that Millom residents are in every brick of the pool building."

And Copeland Borough Council mayor Mike Starkey said Millom would be first in line for investment from the council, saying the town was the "number one priority".

Cllr Starkey: "This really shows the passion of the town. I can assure you that Millom is very much on our agenda and will be first in line for future investment."

Mrs Harrison proposed that another community meeting would be held in the coming months.