STUDENTS lobbied town councillors with their hopes of keeping a swimming pool open.

Seven pupils from all ages at the Colne Community School and College in Brightlingsea were invited to Brightlingsea Town Council.

Top of the agenda for students was to keep the town's outdoor pool open.

Its future has been under threat since Tendring Council said it wanted to sell it as the repair bill was £36,000.

It is being subsidised for £55,000 a year.

Brightlingsea Town Council launched a campaign to save the Promenade Way pool.

Town councillor Jean Howard said: "After giving the students an overview of how the town council is run we went on to receive feedback from the students on matters such as the swimming pool, skate park and school zebra crossing.

"We are delighted to be making new connections with the school and students, and I thank all of those who attended for sharing their thoughts and views so positively and articulately."

Head of School Matthew Suttenwood added: “Working with the community is paramount to the success at The Colne and our students have been a credit to the school and Brightlingsea. I look forward to more of our students participating in local events and being involved in the decision making process.”

A public meeting will be held to discuss the future of the swimming pool at Brightlingsea Community Centre on April 26 at 7.30pm.

A deadline was originally set for the end of 2016 for a decision to be made as to whether the town council would take on a long lease on the pool and operate it or whether Tendring Council would decommission it.

Following a meeting earlier this year, the town council proposed meeting part of the cost of running the pool this summer.

That will give the council time to complete its business plan by the end of September before a final decision is made over the future of the site.

Brightlingsea Town Council has agreed to offset 50 per cent of the operating deficit, up to a maximum of £30,000 for the 2017 season.