HOPES of rescuing a popular north Lancashire swimming pool attracted 120 people to a "passionate" public meeting.

Carnforth pool serves swimmers and 16 schools as far afield as Storth, Wray and Caton, and earlier this year Lancaster City Council said it could no longer afford to keep the building open.

Carnforth High School had hoped to take over the pool, located at its Kellet Road site, but recently warned that costs were proving "excessively high" - a caution that prompted last Thursday's gathering at the school hall.

Carnforth town councillor Paul Gardner said members of the public expressed "a lot of anger" about the pool's predicament. "The meeting was very successful and the will of the community was evident. It was quite passionate," he told the Gazette.

"There is a lot of work to do and a lot of arrangements to be put in place to discuss a successful pool's future. We need to seek various ways to keep the pool running for the local people and schools who use this important feature of Carnforth. Such advantages are taken for granted but if it goes it's gone for good."

The swimming pool opened in 1978, Carnforth mayor Cllr Pat Wooff told the meeting in a statement: "Learning to swim is healthy, it is a popular sport and it keeps our children safe. That is one reason many of you may have bought bricks in 1977."

Mr Gardner said supporters felt optimistic and were "grateful" to Lancashire County Council for agreeing to keep the pool going until the end of this financial year.

However, he said there was "a fast need to raise money to keep it open as a community pool", to ensure the health and safety of swimmers and school pupils.

A steering group has been set up and an urgent meeting has been sought with the city and county councils to discuss securing the pool's future as a community asset, with a partnership between the local community, Carnforth Town Council and Carnforth High School.

Earlier this year Lancaster City Council said its own "perilous financial position" meant it could not afford to keep running three community pools in Carnforth, Heysham and Hornby at a cost of £176,700 each year.

Hornby's swimmers saw their 15-metre village pool close on March 31. Residents have launched an appeal to reopen the mothballed building at Melling Road.