VOLUNTEERS who restored a swimming pool have been honoured by the Queen.

The team behind Weardale Open-Air Swimming Pool, in Stanhope, County Durham, was presented with a Queen's Award for Voluntary Service by Lord Lieutenant Sir Paul Nicholson.

They will meet the Queen on Monday at a reception which she is hosting at St James Palace, in London.

Opened in 1974, the pool is the only public, charitable, heated open-air pool in the county. Most of the swimmers are children and it is also well used by visitors.

Its future was threatened in 1997 when it had little funding, poor support and was becoming a target for vandals.

Supporters called an emergency committee meeting and launched a rescue campaign.

Fundraiser Eileen Stoner said: "The pool is an important facility for our children. During the summer, it gives them something fun to do which keeps them off the street and fit.

"It is also an important help to our local economy as an attraction to the many visitors we have to the dale."

Plans for the pool include building a conservatory, caf and function room.

A Business Link grant has enabled the group to commission an architectural feasibility study.

Chairman Dr Peter Thompson said: "We desperately want to ensure that the development work goes on, and for that we need further funding, more volunteers from the local community and more visitors."

Details of opening times are available on (01388) 528466 or www.woaspa.co.uk