A campaign to save the town’s swimming pool has received the support and backing of west Dorset’s MP.

Members of the Bridport and West Dorset Sports Trust, which runs Bridport Leisure Centre, are becoming increasingly concerned that annual deficit funding of £170,000 for the pool could be cut by Dorset Council in April 2020.

Sir Oliver Letwin was invited on a tour of the centre, which will also be given to local councillors this Saturday, to see it flourishing, despite concerns over future funding of the swimming pool.

Will Thrower, manager of Bridport Leisure Centre, said: “If the funding is withdrawn, then the reality is simple - the swimming pool will close and the future of the leisure centre as it currently operates will be at a significant risk.

“The centre now, certainly the wet side, is approaching 25 years old and it requires a lot of maintenance. In the past six months alone, we have had to do quite a lot of maintenance due to the aging facility.

“The fitness suite, sports hall, the squash courts, pitches, pavilion and our exercise studios do not generate additional income to meet the deficit that is incurred by the swimming pool year on year.”

Mr Thrower added that it was a pleasure to show Sir Oliver around the centre and was keen to resolve the funding crisis.

He said: “He understood the problems we face and how important the leisure centre is to the town and the surrounding area, with roughly one in 10 of the population of Bridport using our facilities.”

Sir Oliver said that it was “hugely important” to preserve the leisure centre.

He said: “I was, as always, enormously impressed by the quality of what is on offer at the leisure centre, and by the huge energy that this community enterprise puts into serving the people of Bridport and the surrounding area.

“It is hugely important to preserve this. I am therefore seeking to persuade Dorset Council to agree with the centre a long-term, sustainable basis for it to continue its work as a not-for-profit voluntary public service of high quality.”

Mr Thrower said trustees were now looking forward to welcoming town and Dorset councillors on Saturday to show them how important the centre is to the local community.

A spokesperson for Dorset Council said: “Dorset Council will continue to work with Bridport and West Dorset Sports Trust as we develop our longer term plans.”

The centre recorded 293,000 visits for 2018/19, with 104,500 - around 36 per cent - solely attributed to the swimming pool.

Bridport Leisure Centre is home to numerous groups and provides a number of services. As well as offering more than 100 classes a week, it also hosts outreach services for the NHS, such as blood donation, pulmonary rehabilitation and also diabetes education sessions, exercise referral programmes, rehabilitation classes and sessions and meeting rooms for various groups.

It also provides apprenticeships, volunteering and training programmes for young people.

Mr Thrower said: “The trustees believe that Bridport Leisure Centre continues to provide an excellent service and very good value for money to the community. This is due to the dedication and hard work of the staff and the many volunteers who give their time and skills.”