A plan to save Kirkham swimming pool that could also see the pool in St Annes re-open has been revealed by Fylde Borough Council.

The St Annes pool closed down in controversial circumstances in July of this year, when the council said they could no longer afford to run the facility.

The pool in Kirkham was set to follow suit early next year, but a rescue plan that would see the pool taken over as a business by a third party has been put forward by council chiefs.

The proposal will be discussed at the next cabinet meeting on November 24, and if approved a similar scheme that would see St Annes pool re-open is likely to be considered.

Coun John Coombes, leader of Fylde Borough Council, said: “In March, as a result of tumbling user numbers, we made a decision to close our pools whilst we carried out a feasibility study on future use and management.

“This decision was not taken likely and we regretted having to do it, the council came under fire when the decision was made but we were resolved that it was the right thing to do.

“At the time hard pressed council taxpayers were subsidising the two pools to the tune of over £1 million per annum.

“Over the past few months I have spent many hours meeting with interested groups and individuals and have made a point of keeping every person that contacted me up to date with my progress and have thanked them for their support.

“I am delighted to announce that a solution has been found which will secure funding for the borough’s two pools for the medium term future at no cost to the council tax payer.

“I am confident that the cabinet will adopt the plan and we can proudly say that we have resolved the issue.”

If the plan is approved then it will be the responsibility of those running it to make it work as a business, which will mean residents making more use of both pools than was previously the case.