A SWIMMING pool that was built after years of campaigning from local people celebrates its 20 year anniversary next week.

Dursley Swimming Pool opened on July 25, 1988, and was later officially opened by the Princess Royal in October the same year.

"It was a great day when the Dursley pool opened," said Mike Cornock, mayor of Dursley when the pool was opened.

"Princess Anne said that the plaque should commemorate the local residents who spent so much time raising money for the pool, so that is what happened."

Although a large proportion of the pool was paid for by Stroud District Council, residents spent years fundraising to get the pool built.

Mr Cornock said: "A lot of people were involved in fundraising for the swimming pool. We ran a local lottery for a long time, I would stand out every week in the wind and rain selling lottery tickets.

"The Gazette was with us all the way, doing articles about our fundraising, the publicity really helped."

Angela Gillingham, manager of Dursley Pool and Sports centre, also celebrates 20 years at the pool after she started working as a lifeguard at the pool when it opened in 1988.

She said: "There is no doubt that in the past 20 years Dursley Pool and Sports Centre has been and continues to be a fantastic facility for the community."

Today, along with the 25 metre swimming pool, the leisure centre boasts an innovative children's gym, called Shokk Wave, and a number of fitness classes both in and out of the water.

The pool will celebrate its 20 year anniversary with a year of events, promotions and prizes.

The celebrations kick off with a disco pool party on July 25 from 3pm and for the next year look out for promotions on membership and competitions to enter.

In honour of the 20th anniversary the centre would like to hear people's memories of the pool.

To share your memories of Dursley pool email Elaine Booth at elaine.booth@stroud.gov.uk or write to her at Dursley Pool & Sports Centre, Castle Street, Dursley, Gloucestershire, GL11 4BS.