THE fund-raising efforts of a community determined to build a swimming pool at Grange-over-Sands are finally bearing fruit.

Pool-campaign group the Cartmel Peninsular Recreational Trust had beaten its target for the year 2000, and with money still coming in "by the day", the fund-raising bid is fast approaching the final target of £800,000.

For 60 years Grange boasted an Olympic-size lido, until it was closed eight years ago, and in 1995 a charitable trust was formed by local people in a bid to replace it.

So far more than 340 individuals and organisations have donated £250 or more to become founders.

Groups from Scouts to the Round Table have also drummed up financial support and a local doctor raised £2,223 sponsorship by taking part in the Great North Run.

Trustee Bernice Humphreys said: "The most moving tribute to the importance of this project to our community has been the funeral of a local man, whose family asked for all donations to be for the pool."

Regular visitors to Grange have also contributed to the bid.

"One family who have a caravan here even came up specially to help us stuff envelopes," said Ms Humphreys.

The trust is now approaching larger companies in the region to help raise the final £180,000 which will secure a £2.5 million National Lottery grant.

Managing director of the trust Carole Taylor said: "After campaigning for six years I can hardly believe we have got here.

We are so delighted - all we did was ask nicely and people have given their money and time so generously."

Meanwhile, the trust's architects and engineers have spent the last three months working on the details of plans.

Ms Humphreys said, if all went to plan, the lottery panel would give the go-ahead in May and building work would begin at the site at Berners Close in late June or early July.