Swimming pools getting cash to make them greener

Sarah Gallagher, the portfolio holder for leisure and culture at Bedford Borough Council, said the local authority was "thrilled" with the funding

Swimming pools across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are due to benefit from more than £3m aimed at making them more energy efficient.

The government has published a list of leisure centres that will receive money either from the National Lottery or the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.

More than £60m is due to be shared among 300 facilities in England.

A leading councillor in Bedford said "we are thrilled".

Kempston Pool and Fitness has been earmarked for new solar panels and energy monitoring software.

"We recognise what a valued local community resource this pool is and how important swimming pools are in helping our residents to be physically active," said Sarah Gallagher, the portfolio holder for leisure and culture at Bedford Borough Council.

The majority of pools have been promised funding to install solar panels, including Hemel Hempstead Leisure Centre, Watford Leisure Centre - both in Hertfordshire - and Aylesbury's Aqua Vale in Buckinghamshire.

John Warner Sports Centre in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, is due to replace its gas boiler, which is more than 20 years old.

About 40 pools in the East of England are due to benefit.

The government recently published its new sport strategy aimed at getting 2.5 million more adults and one million more young people meeting the recommended amount of weekly exercise.

Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Millions of people swim every year in England, but increased energy costs mean some pools are struggling financially."