A MUCH-LOVED Canvey seafront paddling pool looks set to be saved.

More than 1,000 residents teamed up with the Echo to campaign to save the pool, by the Concord Cafe on the island’s seafront, after Castle Point Council voted in January to demolish it because of health and safety concerns.

The public outcry forced a re-think, and the local authority announced yesterday it has formally offered to leave the pool intact and hand over its management to Canvey Town Council.

The news was greeted cautiously by leading campaigner Lea Swann, 55, who runs the Concord Cafe.

She said: “It is absolutely brilliant news, so long as the town council is able to accept the terms offered by the borough council.

“It would be terrible if it turned out the town council could not afford to run the pool.

“Because of this, I’m cautiously hopeful, but will not be celebrating until the town council confirms it can take it.”

Mrs Swann vowed to continue with the campaign group’s planned walk along Canvey seafront tomorrow afternoon, which hundreds of people are expected to attend.

She wants to make sure councillors have no doubts about the level of public support to save the pool.

John Anderson, chairman of the town council, said: “We cannot say for certain whether or not we will take on the pool, as it will have to be voted on at our next full council meeting.

“We will have to take on board the potential health and safety considerations and costs.”

The town council has been asked to respond to the borough council’s offer by the end of September.

Jeffrey Stanley, deputy leader of Castle Point Council, said: “We have listened to residents, and all those anxious to preserve the future of the pool.

“I am delighted it has been possible to identify a solution, which I am sure will be warmly welcomed by residents.”