OTLEY Town Council has pledged £5,000 in support of a campaign to open an outdoor swimming pool.

Friends of Otley Lido are busy raising money to pay for a detailed technical feasibility study of their plans for Wharfemeadows Park.

They need to raise £55,000 and the town council's contribution, pledged at a meeting this week, will provide the final £5,000 once £50,000 has been reached.

Council Chair Councillor Ray Georgeson (Lib Dem, Danefield) said: "I'm delighted to see the town council unanimously support my proposal to offer a contribution to the Friends of Otley Lido.

"The Friends are working hard to raise the £55,000 needed to complete their feasibility work."Their proposals show great ambition for our town, which I share, and I hope the community can rally round and help raise the rest of the money."

The Friends want to create a modern, heated outdoor pool - which could include a retractable roof and glass front, facing the river - on the site of the town's former lido.

More details about the campaign and how to support it can be found at otleylido.com .