PLANS to reopen a historic swimming baths in Haslingden have been setback after it was discovered that the roof was leaking.

Campaign group The Haslingden All People's Pool Initiative (HAPPI) will now need to raise around £27,000 to repair the roof after recent severe weather caused damage.

The group have been organising a variety of fundraising events to try and get Haslingden Baths open again as soon as possible after the facility closed in November 2013 after Rossendale Council pulled the plug in its £137,000-a-year funding.

Selina Hope, who founded HAPPI, said that despite the disappointment, the group is still doing everything it can to bring back something that was vital to the community.

She said: "We are constantly striving to raise as much money as we can because we desperately need to repair the roof.

"We are all volunteers and do not get paid for the efforts we are putting in and I'm hoping people will recognise that and help us out.

"We are always look for fresh volunteers.

"When Haslingden Baths was open it was a place for people to meet, it wasn't just about swimming, and when it closed it cut so many people off.

"If you can't get out and meet people it can affect your physical and mental health so we are all as passionate as each other about getting this place back open as soon as we can."

Approximately £7,000 remains from the £25,000 grant gifted to HAPPI from Rossendale Council when they took over the 1930's pool last July, and that money will be put towards fixing the roof.

Rossendale Council pulled its funding for the popular East Park Drive pool after it was diagnosed with concrete cancer in 2011.

Councillors said they simply didn't have the funds to carry out the repairs.

The group has raised around £5,000 so far from different events including their sponsor-a-tile scheme and local pubs have helped to contribute some cash to the cause.

Ms Hope said: "Some pubs have raised hundreds of pounds and if we had all the pubs doing that we'd get this money in no time.

"We're trying to get as many businesses involved as possible because they will be able to offer more than individuals.

"I hope they will join our force and help us to move forward."