A SWIMMING pool used by 38 Herefordshire school could be repaired and re-opened.

Herefordshire Council's children's services scrutiny committee is advising the council to approve plans for St Martin's swimming pool.

The pool in Hereford has been closed since December due to a problem with the boiler and structural faults.

HALO, which owns Hereford Leisure Pool, has been providing temporary facilities to schools, but this has disrupted public swimming.

The cost of repairing the local authority pool, is estimated at £72,500. The committee has discussed sources of funding including using section 106 planning agreement funding earmarked for capital investment in education.

Councillor Sally Robertson, chairman of the committee, said: "The general feeling in the meeting was that the council needs to do all it can to reopen the St Martin's swimming pool as it is a dedicated learning pool and serves local schools and swimming clubs very well."