COUNTY council funding for Kendal's Sandgate hydrotherapy pool is to continue this coming year as preparations forge ahead to set up a charitable trust to take over the running of the facility.

Cumbria County Council's South Lakeland committee has allocated £25,000 from within its budget for the coming year, until the trust acquires ownership of the pool and takes over its management in April next year.

Councillors heard that negotiations would continue over the next 12 months to ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements.