THOUSANDS of people have signed a petition in a bid to save Brightlingsea Pool from closure.

Brightlingsea Pool in Promenade Way was due to open for the season later this month.

But the opening has been delayed with major repair and improvement works needed to bring the facility up to scratch.

An investigation took place after the pool started leaking water last year.

Tendring Council has been told essential works are likely to cost £36,000.

Gail Blackwell, 47, of Brightlingsea, launched her online petition a week ago and nearly 2,000 people have signed it.

She said: “I think it is great. Brightlingsea has a brilliant community.

“When I was a little girl it was famous for stopping live exports of animals. It has a history of rallying around.”

Miss Blackwell, who described the pool as being “the jewel in the community for generations”, suggested a corporate backer was needed who could build an all-year round pool with solar panels.

“Heating the pool this way in winter months might be a more viable option,” she added.

Ian Block, town councillor with special responsibility for the pool, held a meeting with district councillors.

In a statement the town council said: “We have had offers to do the groundwork for the repairs in a hope that Tendring Council will open the pool this year and enable us time to look into other ways of funding the pool for continued use.

“The pool is built on salt marsh and mud, so, because of the continuous movement it is impossible to put a roof over it.

“Representations have been made to Tendring’s cabinet members.”

Some sections of the pipework underneath slabs at the pool have collapsed and must be replaced.

The pool is run by the district council with a contribution from Brightlingsea Town Council.

Last summer the facility was subsidised to the tune of £55,000 by Tendring Council, with an extra £10,000 from the town council.

The district council is now set to discuss the future of the pool and a decision will be made by cabinet members at a meeting on June 10.

The petition can be found at www.change.org/p/tendring-council-save-brightlingsea-outdoor-pool