A BUSINESS plan launched to keep a swimming pool afloat has been flooded by supporters of its future.

More than 300 people responded to the launch of a five-year initiative to help save cash-strapped Settle Pool.

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The crisis follows Craven District Council's removal of a £16,000 grant in a bid to combat its own financial squeeze.

Lighting and heating the 40 year-old building costs £50,000, while maintenance bills are also rising.

Pool chairman Pat Taylor said the level of support not only by swimmers but the wider community had been 'incredible'.

"Overall the survey was very positive and gave us plenty of food for thought in relation to the way we run the pool, the types and times of classes held and the facilities we provide.

"There is no doubt that people want to keep the pool 'afloat' and value what it has to offer if not for themselves as swimmers but for their friends, neighbours, children and grandchildren.

"The enthusiasm shown in our survey has been more than matched by the incredible support we have received in donations from individuals and businesses over the past few months since our funding crisis became public."

The Business Plan had given a very detailed picture of how the pool worked and how it compared with other comparable pools in relation to user numbers, prices and there were recommendations for changes to make the pool more efficient and able to survive, she said.

In the short term they were working to make more detailed changes to the current operations and hoped to do some small refurbishments to some of the facilities in the next few months.

"At the same time we will be busy exploring sources of funding both big and small to see if some of the more ambitious options can be realised and our fundraising group will continue to develop more fundraising activities locally," she added.