A SWIMMING pool which had been under threat of closure due to a lack of funding has been granted a stay of execution.

The pool at Sherburn High School has been running at a loss of about £13,000 per year, since North Yorkshire County Council withdrew funding last year. It was due to close at the end of the summer term.

Carol Saunders, who teaches swimming at the pool, said she had submitted a business plan to the school governors which, if successful, could see her run the facility at the school, but also open it up to the community.

She said: “I think the governors are looking at my business plan quite carefully, and that’s quite positive.

“The school has deferred the decision to close the pool until after the summer term, which was the original plan, but they are still trying to find some sort of finance to keep it open.”

Carol said 1,077 people signed the petition against the closure in just over one week.

She said: “We were really pleased with the number of signatures. The meeting went really well and seemed positive when I handed the petition in.

“We’re waiting for more information from North Yorkshire County Council, but that should be coming through in the next few weeks.”

A statement from the school governors, sent to parents in the latest newsletter, called the public response to the possible closure of the pool “heartening”, and said the board would continue to try and find financing for the facility.

Chris Lewis, chairman of the governors, said: “It is gratifying that so many people value the swimming pool. Governors would be delighted if they were able to maintain this facility. Yet sustainable finances must be found.”

The statement also said Carol’s business plan had been the only proposition received by the school, and would be given serious consideration. A sub-committee to examine all possible ways of finding finance for the pool has also been set up.