SEDBERGH School has unveiled its newly-refurbished swimming pool and changing rooms.

The swimming pool has had £300,000 spent on a new roof, changing rooms and solar panels to reduce the cost of heating the water in the hope that more members of the community will use it.

School Foundation Officer Richard Witt said: “It was a big day for the school, and some local people came along to the school who hadn’t seen it before.

“Sport is a very important aspect in daily life, and we’re really pleased to have a facility of this quality for the long term.”

Head teacher Andrew Fleck officially opened the pool in front of an audience which included representatives from those who provided funding – Active Cumbria, Sport England, parish and district councillors.

Re-developments have been in the pipeline for 18 months and now the pool boasts a fully re-built roof, brand new changing rooms with disabled access as well as new lights and heating.

Groups from outside the school use the facilities and there are also open sessions for the local community.

Mr Witt said the pool already had about 3,000 visits from members of the community annually, but he hoped the improvements would increase that number to 5,000.

“The water was cold and the changing rooms poor, so now once the word gets out hopefully numbers will increase,” he said.