A SWIMMING club has been saved from sinking after a successful appeal for volunteers was launched in The Basingstoke Extra.

A few weeks ago the Basingstoke Swimming for the Disabled Club faced the possibility of closure after 10 successful years because of a lack of qualified volunteer lifeguards.

The situation had become so desperate that the club was forced to cancel two of its weekly Friday sessions at the swimming pool in Queen Mary's College in Cliddesden Road.

But now the club has recruited three qualified lifeguards and at least six people have registered their interest in getting trained to lend a hand.

Club chairman Trevor Pankhurst said he was amazed at the response he had received from The Basingstoke Extra's article on October 24.

It revealed the club was in crisis after its own lifeguard would have to stand down until she could find somewhere to renew her lifeguard qualification, which was proving difficult to do in Basingstoke.

Trevor said: "I'm delighted with the response. The members are really pleased that they don't have to keep asking if the club will still be going next week.

"We had to cancel two sessions but hopefully no more will be cancelled. The people who have come forward as lifeguards are starting straight away on a rota."

He added: "We've even had a few people saying they saw the article and wanted to join the club."

If you would like more information about the club, please contact Trevor on 01256 350613.