ACTION is being taken to secure the future of the last remaining public outdoor pool in North Yorkshire.

Helmsley Open Air Pool will turn 50 in 2019 and the facility is showing signs of its age.

A group has been set up to raise funds to save the pool, which needs at least £100,000 of investment to keep it in a useable state in the coming years.

The pool will open as normal this year, from June until mid-September, but Chris Parkin, a member of the fundraising committee, said it was important to invest now to ensure its future.

He said: “Our aim is to secure the funding over this time so that we can go to the pool’s trustees, which is Helmsley Town Council, to get the go-ahead to carry out the work needed, otherwise it will close down.”

Mr Parkin said major investment was needed on the pool’s lining and pipe work.

One option is to build a new tank within the existing tank which would reduce the pool width from 9m to 8m and level out the depth at 1.5m - the pool would remain 25m long.

Mr Parkin said: “The original concrete fencing is also ageing and unattractive and we would like to replace this with a greener and more attractive option and the changing rooms and foyer are also in need of refurbishment.

“Basically, we are looking at lots of money - possibly in excess of £100,000, so we are looking wherever we can to secure that funding.”

Various fundraising events were being planned over the summer and Mr Parkin said: “To lose the pool would be a huge loss to the history and heritage of the area as the last open air pool in Yorkshire.”

A public meeting has been organised at Helmsley Town Hall on March 15, at 6.30pm to discuss fundraising options.