Neil Parish launches �55,000 appeal to buy a new liner for Axminster’s Flamingo Pool

Axminster’s MP - keen swimmer Neil Parish - has launched a �55,000 appeal to buy a new liner for the town’s Flamingo Pool.

And to kick start the fund, on Friday, he received a �10,000 cheque from the Axe Vale Show organisers.

The Flamingo Pool was opened in 1998 after a huge community effort and with a Sport England lottery grant.

Since then it has served the community without any council or government funding. Excellent support from the local community and beyond, including volunteer receptionists, has ensured it pays its way.

But now officials say its future could be under threat.

Its stainless steel construction – lined rather than tiled – means

any underground problems can be spotted easily.

But now the liner needs replacing and Mr Parish has urged the community to get behind its pool once more.

People are being asked to support the appeal in a number of ways, including taking home ‘small change’ boxes in which the family can donate cash.

The pool team is also launching an Olympic swim challenge which will invite staff and customers to take part in all 86 Olympic swimming events and try their best against the current record.