A BID to reopen an historic open air swimming pool in Ipswich has moved a step closer today, campaigners have claimed.Supporters of Broomhill Pool are today celebrating after they were told they can begin looking for a company to run the lido.

A BID to reopen an historic open air swimming pool in Ipswich has moved a step closer today, campaigners have claimed.

Supporters of Broomhill Pool are today celebrating after they were told they can begin looking for a company to run the lido.

In April Ipswich Borough council approved a handover of the pool to the Broomhill Pool Trust who are seeking to raise millions to return the site to its former glory.

The trust has been promised a dowry of £1million form the council to help fund the work but needs to find a further £2.9million to fund the restoration works.

Channel swimmer Mike Read, of the Broomhill Pool Trust, said that once a company to run the lido is found it will increase the likelihood of successfully applying for a National Lottery funding grant.

It is hoped the trust will have picked a management company by September.

Mr Read said: “We have been tasked with finding an operator for the pool and that is now going ahead.

“It is very difficult to get lottery funding until an operator and management is in place.

“We hope to find an operator that already has experience of running an outdoor pool and have already raised money from various sources.”

Mr Read said it is vital for Ipswich that the bid to re-open the pool, which closed in 2002, is successful.

He said: “Where else on a beautiful day in the summer can you have 1,000 children enjoying themselves learning to swim and integrating together.

“If we are going to be an Ipswich community then we have got to make it happen.

“It is a wonderful facility.”

n. Would you like to see the pool re-opened? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk