A COMMUNITY pool saved from the brink of closure opened its doors for the first time today after a multimillion pound refurbishment.

Families gathered at Oaklands Community Pool in Southampton for a grand opening party after its £1.7million facelift.

As previously reported in the Echo the pool in Cromarty Road was set to close two years ago as part of budget cuts at the Labour-run city council.

A huge campaign was launched to save the facility, and it even contributed to two Labour councillors resigning from their party.

But council chiefs performed a U-turn and instead approved a £1.7m project to refurbish it and reopen it under the leadership of the Oaklands Community Pool Group.

Daily Echo:

Pool manager Dan Lally was among those congratulating the community group at today's celebration ahead of it opening to the public on Monday.

Speaking ahead of a ribbon cutting he told the crowd of members and local families: “This has been a long wait and a long journey.

“We want to thank everyone who has donated so much voluntary time.

“Thank you to the community without their effort we wouldn't be here today.

“I hope the community continues to support this pool.”

Last month the organisers feared the pool's opening would be delayed after its phone lines were disrupted following problems with underground cabling.