Volunteers are needed to help a North Dorset swimming pool re-open with a splash.

The project to restore Shaftesbury swimming pool is now in its final stages, with the scheduled reopening just over two months away.

The closure of neighbouring facilities had increased the need for the Barton Hill bathing centre, said the man at the centre of the project.

"With Gillingham losing its pool, the need is even greater," said John Brooks, a joint trustee of the project to restore the pool. March 22 is a significant date for the project, he added.

The birthday of the late Cllr Pam Reynolds was chosen as a fitting day to open the facility she had championed, said Mr Brooks. "It would be fitting to open the pool on March 22 in memory of the woman who spent six years fighting for it," said Mr Brooks.

The electrician paid tribute to Cllr Reynolds, agreeing that she had been the driving force behind the project.

"When Pam was alive, she had an aura about her. She could get anyone to do anything," said Mr Brooks.

"She asked me to check the electrics at the pool. By the time I left, I was on the committee and didn't know anything about it," he recalled.

Shaftesbury Town Council will hold a special meeting on Monday to vote on releasing £15,000 to cover the cost of the pool's liner.

Mayor of Shaftesbury, Cllr Derek Beer, is not expecting the donation to be opposed.

"The money is in this year's budget. The pool has to be finished as a mark of respect to Pam," said Cllr Beer.

"We also had £18,000 from the liveability fund of North Dorset District Council that will pay for the surfacing," said Mr Brooks.

"The two main jobs are paid for," said Mr Brooks.

But plenty of hard work remains to be done, he added.

"Anyone who can hold a paint brush is more than welcome and paint the changing rooms and toilet blocks.

"The main body of work is still to be done," he added.

Volunteers should contact Mr Brooks on 01747 851103.