The future of a Pembrokeshire swimming pool is to be highlighted next week.

Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet is being asked to consider a proposal to consult over the future of Narberth swimming pool.

The 20-metre pool was built in 1973 and is the only stand-alone pool in the county.

A report to a meeting of the county council's cabinet on Monday proposes that consultation take place on the option of closing the pool on April 1, 2014 - with a saving of £126,000 a year.

The report follows a recent review of all of the county's leisure facilities as part of the council's search for efficiency savings.

The report from the director of finance and leisure says that the 40-year-old Narberth facility was now coming to the end of its economic life and that admission numbers were also falling.

Paid admissions in 2012/13 were 40,648 from 47,835 in 2009/10, while total admissions (including free swimming) were 51,510 and 53,824, respectively.

"The availability of capacity at alternative leisure facilities in Tenby and Crymych would enable customers to be supported albeit at a different location," says the report.

It added that net expenditure for 2013/14 was estimated at £126,000.

If cabinet approves the report next week, then a consultation exercise will go ahead, including a full equality impact assessment.

Campaign

Locally, a campaign has been started to save the pool from possible closure.

It is being spearheaded by John Sleigh and is called the 5Ps Campaign - Please Preserve Narberth Pool for future generations of Pembrokeshire People.

He has been raising awareness of the situation and distributing flyers, including to the children taking part in the inter schools swimming competition.

Said John: "I'm gathering support in advance of a decision to proceed to 'consultation' which is expected to be made by Pembrokeshire County Council cabinet on Monday. When this decision has been made, I hope to use the support that I have gathered to persuade them that closure of Narberth pool is not in the best interests of the community and that savings to make up the anticipated budget shortfall should be sought elsewhere."

Anyone who would like to be involved in the campaign can contact John on (01834) 860014 or email [email protected]">[email protected]