A TOWN swimming pool could have a roof for the first time - 38 years since campaigns first started to fund one.

Manningtree High School is struggling to keep up with the costs of running the pool, which opened at the Colchester Road site in 1979.

It is hoped funding can be found to put a roof on the pool and then it could be used by the public.

Headteacher Sally Morris said: "The swimming pool is very expensive to maintain and because it belongs exclusively to the school it is solely our financial responsibility.

"It isn’t possible to recoup the costs of running the pool by hiring it out because it is uncovered and can only be used for a few weeks a year.

"Currently it has no dedicated toilets or changing facilities.

"In these times when schools are chronically underfunded, we can’t keep spending money on keeping the pool running when we need the money for basic classroom resources."

The pool cost £25,000 to build with money, which took four years to raise, coming from children fundraising and no-interest loans from residents and businesses.

The first calls to build a roof came just a year later in 1980, the first year it was open for the public to use as well as schoolchildren, with costs mooted at about £30,000.

But in 1991 Tendring Council rejected plans, saying it could not fit the £300,000 bill alone and there was no support coming from Essex County Council or the Sports Council.

In 2008 the swimming pool was closed to the public but continued to be used by schoolchildren.

Manningtree High School has now submitted plans to Tendring Council to put an arched roof over the 25m open-air pool saying it can currently only be used for at most three months a year.

A report sent to the council, said: "A pool building will allow year round swimming with other schools in the area, local groups will be able to use the pool outside of school use."

If approved, the telescopic roof would have big sliding windows on the top that could still be opened in good weather.

Mrs Morris added: "We are exploring our options for its long term future.

"If we could source some grants or other finances to get a building and facilities around the pool, it could be a more viable financial venture for someone interested in running a pool locally.

"The first step in exploring this possibility is to check to see if we could get planning permission for a building over it.

"If we can’t, then that narrows down our options."

Anybody who may be able to help advise the school on funding, grants or sponsorship is asked to email Carol Sinclair on csinclair@manningtreehigh.com