GILLINGHAM swimming pool will close with immediate effect after a decision not to spend a minimum of £28,000 to repair air handling units which broke down at the end of January.

North Dorset District Council, which manages Gillingham Leisure Centre, had investigated ways of maintaining the pool until the end of March, when the entire centre is due to close permanently.

It took the decision to close the pool on safety and financial grounds.

The air handling units heat the pool and circulate the air, preventing condensation build-up.

Cllr Michael Roake, cabinet member for leisure at the council, said: "We've looked at all the options and tried our utmost to find ways of keeping Gillingham pool open.

"It's with real regret that we have had to make this decision," he added.

"Although the entire centre is due to close at the end of March, we wanted to fulfil our obligations to the people of Gillingham in terms of providing full sport and leisure facilities."

Council officials said it would have taken more than a week to install the temporary generating equipment and they felt that should any further staff go from the skeleton staff, the pool would have to close on health and safety grounds.

The option to employ temporary staff was ruled out because of the length of time to employ people to work with children.

Nathan Fazakerley, leisure manager at the council, said all other activities and facilities at Gillingham Leisure Centre would continue to operate to the end of March.

Anyone who has made an advance payment for lessons or time in the pool should contact the centre for a refund.

Cllr David Milsted, ward councillor for Gillingham Town, said: "This is a very sad end to an old story, but made inevitable by the final conking-out of vital equipment.

"I am now looking forward to the opening of the new pool, which I believe may be much sooner than we had all dared hope.

"Now is the time for the whole community to get behind our community leisure centre project."