A SWIMMING pool which was forced to close for almost a year after falling into a state of disrepair will reopen within weeks.

Torrington Pool was closed last year as the roof, which contained asbestos, needed replacing at a cost of around £300,000.

Torridge District Council, which owns the pool, says it has earmarked £550,000 for the project and hopes to reopen the swimming pool at the start of April.

The move has been welcomed by the Torridgeside Swimming Club which has seen its membership fall by more than half because of the pool's closure.

Laura Bennett, head coach, said: "The closure has really affected us financially. We are a voluntary sports club and the council did not do a great deal to help us find temporary facilities.

"We survived, but we were pushed to our limits. Our membership dropped by over half. We are hoping to be able to build it back up once we are back using Torrington Pool."

The Torridgeside Swimming Club has been using West Buckland in the interim but says because of the long distance involved, training hours have been limited.

The club is planning to host a 24 hour sponsored swim and relay at Torrington Pool when it reopens.

Laura said: "We have the talent and are still competing in national leagues. We can't wait to get back into Torrington Pool."

The £550,000 swimming pool budget includes grants of £100,000 from the Amateur Swimming Association and £50,000 (over five years) from Torrington Town Council.

A Torridge District Council spokesman said: "The council has awarded a £260,000 construction contract to SWH Build Ltd for the re-roofing of the pool hall at Torrington Swimming Pool.

"The contract follows a previous asbestos removal/demolition contract undertaken by Shield Environmental Ltd and includes structural repairs, improvements to the heating and ventilation systems, replacement windows and complete redecoration.

"The project is being managed by the council's own property and procurement team and is currently on programme for the pool to be reopened to the public at the beginning of April 2012.

"The council's newly appointed leisure contractor, 1610, will manage the facility and has recently taken over operations at the council's other leisure facilities at Torridge and Holsworthy pools and Torrington Sports Hall."