VOLUNTEERS have vowed not to let vandals stop them in their bid to open a community swimming pool.

Up to £1,000 of damage was caused when yobs smashed windows at the front and back of Haslingden Baths.

Nearly £26,000 has been raised so far to reopen the baths, but with money constantly tight Haslingden All People’s Pool Initiative (HAPPI) which is spearheading the project say this is a cost they could do without.

Chairman Selina Hope said: “It’s dreadful what has happened, especially when we are all working so hard to get the baths open. But we are not going to let it defeat us. We have overcome harder times than this already so far.

“I wish the people who are doing this would realise what damage they have done. What the cost is. Those broken panes and windows will have to be replaced using funds which the community have given to get the baths up and running again.”

The pool, which was only recently filled up, had to be drained in order to remove shards of glass. And that exposed faults in the pumps which will cost £6,000 to replace – money HAPPI doesn’t have.

A glazier has offered to fit panes of glass for free, but HAPPI has no funds to replace the glass itself.

Despite the setbacks Selina, who praised the police for their support following the vandalism on August 14, said HAPPI is still looking to open the baths by the end of September.

A Lancashire Police spokesman said: “Several windows were smashed at the pool building between 6pm on August 14 and 7.30pm on August 15. Anyone with any information should contact police via 101.”

For more information and to donate funds, visit www.haslingdenbaths.co.uk.