THE organisers behind Save Grange Lido have organised their third annual fundraising cross bay walk. 

The group was set up to restore the lido back to a functioning swimming pool after it closed in the early 1990s. There has been activity at the lido for the first time in three decades as the council have pumped money into restoring the structure - but not reopening it as a pool. 

The Westmorland Gazette: The King's Guide to the Sands will lead a group across Morecambe Bay between Arnside and GrangeThe King's Guide to the Sands will lead a group across Morecambe Bay between Arnside and Grange (Image: Save Grange Lido)

It was filled with 2,000 tonnes of stone in September of last year to allow construction traffic to work on the rest of the buildings. According to Westmorland and Furness Council, by the end of the project the Grade-II listed art-deco lido will be able to maintain public access as a heritage site even if people cannot swim there.

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The campaign group said that the infill can be removed when it is able to build the pool. This year's walk will be on Saturday, June 15, departing from Arnside at 12.15pm. The group will teaming up with the Guide Over Sands Trust for the walk. They will be led by Michael Wilson, the King's Guide to the Sands. 

The Westmorland Gazette: Participants gathering at the start of a previous cross bay walkParticipants gathering at the start of a previous cross bay walk (Image: Save Grange Lido)

Janet Carter, chair of Save Grange Lido CBS said: "The Cross Bay Walk has always been about raising awareness and showing the level of support their is for our project. We have people take part in it from all over the country and sometimes internationally. It is great to raise funds, but the real value is us being able to show our potential funders the commitment there is out there for the Lido to be brought back to life complete with a pool.

The Westmorland Gazette: The pool being filled with stone last yearThe pool being filled with stone last year (Image: Save Grange Lido)

She said that in previous years the group has had two 'sell out walks' with a 500 capacity. For this year's walk, which is two months earlier than the previous ones, the charity has already sold nearly 90 per cent of the tickets. 

Tickets are £15 for adults, £7.50 for children (11 to 16 inclusive) and £3 dogs. The minimum age to participate in the walk is 11 years.