A CONSULTATION exercise is to take place in Redcar in the hope that a new swimming pool can be built in the town.

The town's old pool was shut down a few years ago - despite a protest campaign by local people.

But, over the past few months, interest in a swimming pool has grown again and Grasp (Get Redcar A Swimming Pool), headed by Redcar MP Vera Baird, has set up to try to bring the dreams of a new pool to reality.

The group has so far secured £55,000 worth of SRB (Single Regeneration Budget) money for West Redcar to pay for the consultation and feasibility studies, which will look into the viability of the project.

Ms Baird said: "We need to consult the people of Redcar as to what type of pool they want. Do they want an ordinary swimming pool with lanes or do they want something along the lines of Stockton Splash.

"We also need to question if it could be used as a way of bringing tourists in, if we want a sports centre and lots of facilities as well, and that is all important when considering where it should be."

The group will be holding its next meeting on Saturday, December 15.