AN award-winning £3.5 million swimming pool built as the result of a tireless fund-raising campaign by volunteers four years ago could be bulldozed if a private operator does not come forward with a viable business plan next month.

The news was confirmed this week in the face of a damning report on the condition of Berners Pool in Grange that highlights a range of faults and damage that will require correcting before it could be opened to the public in the future.

The situation was described as "bleak" by South Lakeland District Council chief executive Mike Jones, who welcomed offers of advice and expertise from those involved with the project at the time of its design and construction.

Despite drawing wide support from members of the community - who have collected a 1,200 name petition calling for its reopening - the future of the pool now lies in the hope of finding a private contractor willing to take it on.

For story in full see May 25 Westmorland Gazette.