A SWIMMING pool threatened with closure has been thrown a lifeline after an outcry of support for the baths.

The decision on Arthur Hill Pool's future, set to be taken on Monday, September 26, was postponed after a 2,300 signature petition was handed to the council's Policy Committee.

Reading Borough Council warned the 105-year-old pool could face closure as soon as December as they struggled to meet a £700,000 repair bill.

Campaigner Peter Burt called on the council to delay the decision to see if they could keep it open.

"The pool is so important to people in East Reading," he said.

"The reason the pool is so important is because it's a community pool.

"Councillors please do remember at times like these communities need facilities to help keep them together.

"Please don't tell us people in Reading are inactive and unhealthy if you're closing down the places we go to exercise.

"Please don't complain youths are getting into trouble if you're taking away the places they can go to enjoy themselves.

"And please don't wring you hands about disintegrating community cohesion if you're smashing up the places people go to meet."

Supported by a packed public gallery he called on the council to sit down and discuss options for the pool's future.

Cllr Paul Gittings said the petition had received so many signatures it would be included on the agenda for the next full council meeting on Tuesday, October 18.

The postponement was met with thunderous applause from the crowd who had been demonstrating in front of the Bridge Street council offices ahead of the meeting.

Ahead of the meeting council leader Jo Loveluck said the pool was losing money and the council could not afford to keep it open for three years until a replacement was built in Palmer Park.