CIVIC dignitaries have attended the official opening a primary school's new swimming pool, which was made possible after East Dorset District Council awarded the scheme a £20,000 grant.

St Ives Primary School, Sandy Lane, St Ives, held an opening ceremony to mark the occasion.

Parents, teachers and pupils attended the opening, alongside former parents and pupils who were involved in the original fundraising and running of the pool 40 years ago.

This time around the pool was jointly opened by Dorset Council councillor and chairman of St Leonards and St Ives Parish Council Barry Goringe, and St Ives School Association chairman Samara Stewart.

Cllr Goringe said: "Swimming is an important life skill and the pool now with this refurbishment has years of life in it providing a great facility for the children at St Ives Primary School and other first schools in the area."

The funding enabled the pool's water tank to be re-lined, and the installation of two air heat source pumps, making the system more eco-friendly and sustainable.

As well as being open for local schools the pool will also be available to the community for open swims, aqua aerobic sessions and intensive swim courses in conjunction with local swim schools.

A Dorset Council spokesman explained: "The school received a grant of £20,000 from East Dorset District Council to help fund the refurbishment work, as well as contributions from Co-op Bransgore, the local Freemasons and fundraising by families at the school.

"The school received a grant of £20,000 from East Dorset District Council to help fund the refurbishment work, as well as contributions from Co-op Bransgore, the local Freemasons and fundraising by families at the school.

"The management of the pool is undertaken by volunteers. In order to make this facility more available to the community a seasonal pool caretaker is now required."

Contact Samara Stewart on SISAinfo@stivespta.com if you are interested in this role.