A KIDDERMINSTER community is fighting to save a well-used park paddling pool from being closed for good.

Last year, Kidderminster Town Council announced that more than £100,000 was needed to repair the pool at St George's Park to ensure its future.

The council decided to mothball the final decision to allow the local community time to raise the required funds for the work.

A GoFundMe page has been launched to raise funds for the pool, and a petition to the town council has received more than 1,300 signatures.

Sue Bradley, of the Friends of St George's Park group, said she felt "shocked" and "sorry for the children" when she first heard the future of the pool was up in the air.

Kidderminster Shuttle: The pool was closed this summerThe pool was closed this summer (Image: Newsquest)

Reacting to its potential closure, she said: “I think it would be a shame – I think it would be shameful".

Resident Jacqui Penn said the pool is used by families across the town and beyond and is worried that it could be replaced with a flowerbed.

She said: "I've been using the pool across three generations. I brought my daughters, I brought my grandchildren, and now I'm bringing my great-grandchildren. It's part of our heritage."

Resident Howard Everton described the pool as an "absolute bonus for the community."

He said: "The children matter, the people matter, the community matters".

Councillor Fran Oborski said: “As a community, we are absolutely furious that the town council should even consider closing the paddling pool.

“We desperately need the paddling pool open. This park serves some of the most deprived areas of Kidderminster. 

“I think it’s really been missed this year with it not being open. Every year when it’s been open it’s been absolutely packed”.

Kidderminster Shuttle: Members of the Kidderminster community at the paddling poolMembers of the Kidderminster community at the paddling pool (Image: Newsquest)

Kidderminster BID has also thrown its support behind the campaign, which will seek out possible grants and funding.

James Barker, Kidderminster BID manager, said: "This is what communities want.

“I genuinely think these are assets and not liabilities and I think we need to change how we see things.

"You lose this, you lose 50 per cent of your footfall for the park and I think that’s when it starts raising big concerns in the area”.

David Ross, leader of Kidderminster Town Council said: "The council decided in December of last year due to the prohibitive cost of repairs to mothball the pool to allow the community and other stakeholders an opportunity to fundraise.

"The council is due to review the position in December".