VILLAGERS are on a mission to raise thousands of pounds to carry out a major refurbishment of their community open-air swimming pool.

A ‘splash zone’ at Ingleton Pool is expected to cost £150,000 – and members of the Ingleton Rural Community Association, which manages the facility, have kick-started a series of fundraising events to add to the £12,000 which has already been banked towards the cost.

“We are also hoping to encourage local and corporate sponsorship and to get help from other organisations,” said Jayne Lis, from the IRCA.

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“A splash zone will have a learning and countryside theme to attract and entertain younger children and their families. It will have full access for disabled and handicapped children.

“As swimming is a key life skill, the opportunity to play in a safe and fun water play environment will help increase children’s water confidence.”

The scheme – only the second overhaul in the pool’s 80-year history – has planning permission from Craven District Council.

It comes 40 years after the last refurbishment was carried out.

The pool was dug out and built by local volunteers in 1933 and took a year to finish and was filled from the river.

The aim was to make the pool a destination for families with younger children and those who were disabled.

A modernisation was carried out in 1974 when the pool was reduced in size, tiled, heated and the water was treated for the first time.

A toddlers’ shallow pool was lost as part of the modernisation. These days, the nearest splash park is 22 miles away.

Donations can be left at Ingleborough Community Centre in Ingleton with cheques made payable to Ingleton Swimming Pool Improvement Fund.