LIDO campaigners have been inspired after visiting a successful outdoor pool - and say there is still hope for retaining the Droitwich Spa's unique saltwater attraction.

Members of the Save A Lido Today group, along with former town mayor Anne Taft, visited Cheltenham Lido last week to see what could be learnt.

Cheltenham faced similar pressure from the council to close the lido but have managed to turn it into a profit-making success after campaigners set up a self-managing trust.

Anne Taft said: "Like us, Cheltenham Council was not keen to keep its pool open - again because of the cost involved.

"However, there was such uproar from the people of Cheltenham against the pool being closed, plus protests and support from the community and some supportive councillors, that eventually it agreed to support it and gave it a 25-year lease. In other words, it listened to the people of Cheltenham."

Research by the campaigners has also shown there are many grants available to restore and refurbish the lido - but only if the scheme retains its original qualities.

Wychavon District Council is currently consulting interested parties about a proposed scheme for a fish-shaped pool and wet play area.

After an initial funding of £40,000 from the council per year for the first three years, CheltenhamLido is now fully self-sufficient and is a jewel in the town's tourism industry.

The only additions made to the original pool were the building of indoor and outdoor changing areas, which compliment the original structure.

A spokeswoman for SALT said: "It was great to learn all is not lost. We can still save our lido, and now we are looking into ways of applying for grants and setting up a trust."

SALT is inviting townsfolk to a meeting on Thursday, July 7, for them to share the latest information on the lido scheme.

l A PROLIFIC town engineer has drawn up plans for his ideas to renovate the lido. As part of the current consultation period, John Thistlethwaite, of King George Avenue, who is well known in the town for his innovative schemes, has submitted the plans to Wychavon District Council.

They include a permanent ice rink, a number of open-air hot tubs and a good quality coffee shop.