A SERIES of open days are to be organised to give the public a chance to take a tour around a South Lakeland town's outdoor swimming pool.

They have been made possible following today's announcement that the campaign group Save Grange Lido Ltd has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £9,900.

The project will mean South Lakeland residents will be able to view the historic bathing pool which has been closed for more than 25 years.

Save Grange Lido Ltd plans to open up the bathing pool site on the promenade for a series of guided tours around the heritage facility which closed in 1993.

The first will be held on the weekend of August 17 and 18. It will enable visitors to see first-hand the historical importance of the site. An exhibition will also be held exploring the pool’s history and inviting visitors to share their memories of swimming in the open air pool.

Save Grange Lido will also be exhibiting its future plans to restore swimming at the site following South Lakeland District Council’s phase one development which will restore the grade II listed buildings.

Grange Lido was built in 1932 to an art deco design. The facility is the only remaining seaside Lido in the north of England and features a unique 50-metre mushroom-shaped pool.

Phil Bradby, SGL chairman, said: “The Lido has been closed off for so many years yet every time I walk along the prom I see people peering through the windows in the fence trying to see inside.

"I am pleased locals will get the chance to explore this amazing place 25 years after the last swimmers left. We will also be able to show the people of Grange our plans to fully restore the pool.”

Cllr Robin Ashcroft, SLDC's Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure, said: "South Lakeland District Council welcomes the open days at the lido. They will give people a rare opportunity to see inside the facility and are sure to be a great success.

"We are determined to secure the structure and restore the area to public use. We very much welcome SGL’s involvement along with other community groups. Our commitment is to ensure an outcome for the site that has the support of the community while limiting the financial exposure of the local council."

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron welcomed the announcement.

“This is great news and is testament to the hard work of the Save Grange Lido team and the people of Grange who are desperate to see the Lido site back in use after decades of neglect.”