A SPA pressure group is delighted that plans are finally taking a step forward with the Lido.

Publicity officer for Save Our Lido Today, (SALT) Peter Regan is pleased that Wychavon District Council is moving closer to reopening the pool off Worcester Road.

The lido has been closed to the public since 2001,because the council faced a repair bill of around £100,000. Now it seems taxpayers will have to foot that bill.

The reaction follows Wychavon District Council leader, Cllr Martin Jennings' (Con-Bengeworth) speech at an executive board meeting last Tuesday night.

Wychavon District Council has been in exclusive talks with Wychavon Leisure since Thermae Ltd pulled out of the deal last month. However, he admitted that the company did not have any substantial funds and proposed the council should pay for work on the facility and Wychavon Leisure run it.

The company originally ran the pool before it's closure but wish to reopen it adding a number of leisure facilities. An evaluation is being made of this and other options which are yet to be revealed.

SALT publicity officer Peter Regan said: "We are particularly happy to hear plans are finally being pushed forward especially after the demonstration we held two weeks ago."

Wychavon District Council also agree that to generate maximum income the pool should be open for at least 20 weeks of the year instead of just 12 weeks which it was previously open for. This would mean providing heating or a cover.

Peter added: "The more weeks the pool is open the better. We would ideally like to see it open again next year."

Cllr Jennings added: "An architect has been approached to provide an initial assessment of the condition of the buildings, to prepare outline designs and to provide a cost assessment of the proposed works. Subject to the agreement of the brief, it is hoped that this part of the feasibility work will be completed by mid November."

He later added: "I am keen for the board to consider the Wychavon Leisure proposals early in the New Year so that a decision on the funding of the scheme can be taken as part of the budget process."

The matter was discussed again at a Wychavon District Council Overview and Scrutiny meeting at The Raven Hotel off Worcester Road last night