Full moon swim to raise funds for lido's future

Ilkley Pool and Lido opened in 1935 and draws huge crowds in the summer months

A community group set up to secure the future of Ilkley Lido is holding its first ever "full moon swim" event.

The popular outdoor pool, which opened in the West Yorkshire town in 1935, has been under threat of closure since Bradford Council began a review of its leisure centres.

The night swim on 19 August has already sold out and supporters said they hope it will convince the council that the pool can be used for a variety of events that generate income.

Ilkley Pool & Lido Community Group (IPLCG) chair Becky Malby said the swim was a "unique" chance to experience the Lido after dark.

The Lido, cafe and changing rooms, built in the 1930s, are listed by Historic England

The swim, on the date of the first "supermoon" of the year, has been inspired by the dawn solstice swims that have taken place in June for the past 10 years.

Ms Malby said: "After the success of the sunrise swims, we are celebrating the new full moon by swimming in the dusk as the sun sets."

The IPLCG formed after local residents decided to explore proposals to secure the site for management by the community.

Members have said they could end up taking ownership of the pool, leasing it from the council or working in partnership with them.

Summer solstice swims have been held at the pool in June for the past 10 years

Bradford Council said earlier this year that it was planning to conduct a public consultation on the future of the Lido during the summer.

IPLCG committee member Davy Simpson said: "We know councils are underfunded but we see this as a key service - for all the health and mental health benefits that come with it.

"We are trying to show how it can be used in different ways, such as for health and to entertain the kids in the summer holidays - it should be nice and atmospheric for visitors can come and see it in moonlight."

Options being considered by the group include making changes to the swim timetable, alterations to the cafe and trying to reduce the site's energy bills.

Mr Simpson said it would be great for local people to come forward with ideas on how they would like to use the pool in future.

"The staff at the pool are coming up with different ideas on how to use it, they're being great," he said.

"We've had paddleboarding, scuba diving and yoga, and they have also created an online booking system, to help people coming from further afield ensure that they know they can get in before they visit."

The outdoor, cafe and changing rooms are listed by Historic England.

Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail]