Cumbria swimming pools secure a share of £600k funding

Pools have been hit with higher heating bills and other spiralling costs

Five swimming pools in Cumbria have received a share of £600,000 in government funding to help with rising costs.

Pools have been hit by higher bills and other expenses, with plans for a new public pool in Maryport dropped.

Baths in Cockermouth, Whitehaven, Workington, Wigton and Barrow have been awarded money from the Swimming Pool Support Fund.

But Labour-led Cumberland Council said the money will not go far enough.

Barrow Forward Leisure Centre received the biggest slice, with almost £235,500.

The government said more than 100 local authorities were awarded a share of £20m to keep their swimming pools and leisure centres open.