Charity wants to re-open town's only swimming pool

Folkestone's Sports Centre, which spans 10 acres, closed last summer

A charity is aiming to raise funds to help re-open a sports centre, which would give a Kent town back its only public swimming pool.

Folkestone's Sports Centre, which spans 10 acres (4 hectares), closed in 2024 but local charity The Sports Trust said if it can get funding, it will re-open the pool and the whole centre by the summer of 2026.

Dan Hulme, from the charity, told BBC Politics South East there are lots of benefits from participating in sport, including social, physical and mental.

He said: "The key for us is we're here, we're already in the community, we've been here for 13 years and the intention is to be there for as long as we possibly can."

Mr Hulme added: "As much as you'd like to think that many of these facilities should be publicly funded and you would think that taxpayers' money would go towards it, that's just not happening."

The government says it is committed to giving every child the best start in life, with £400 million earmarked for grassroots sports facilities.

Work has already began in preparation to get the centre open.

But, a spokesperson for The Sports Trust said it will take "funds, patience and careful planning" to make sure the 50-year-old centre stays open for the rest of the year.