Swimming pools set for running costs boost

Naturally heated mine water has been identified in Shibdon pond near the pool at Blaydon

Council chiefs are set to approve £1.3m to help with the heating of two swimming pools.

According to Gateshead Council documents, facilities at Blaydon and Dunston have been allocated £800,000 and £500,000 respectively.

The cash would help explore for mine water, which is warmed through natural processes, and pay for the installation of a pump to help heat Blaydon pool.

It is also proposed Dunston pool and leisure centre be equipped with an air source pump, which takes heat from the air outside and transfers it inside.

The funding for the centres would also be used to put LED lighting in place, the Local Democracy Reporting Service says.

The council report identifies some risks, including planning permission complications, but also warns that waiting until all those factors are resolved would see the programme slip by about three months - with a resulting loss of funding making it "unviable".

A decision will be made by the authority’s cabinet on Tuesday.