VISITORS who fought to save a struggling pool from closure can now see plans for a huge cash injection to revitalise the facility.

Abingdon’s Abbey Meadow, which sees thousands of visitors each year, was announced last year as the recipient of a half a million pound boost from Vale of White Horse District Council.

Today the council has revealed details for the improvements for the first time, and has increased the pot to £615,000. 

Councillor Elaine Ware, Cabinet member for corporate strategy, said: “It isn’t the end of our ambitions for Abbey Meadow. We’re now looking to see what grants are available to help us raise money for even more improvements. We want to make sure it remains a popular site for many years to come."

The meadow has a popular outdoor pool which has been saved from closure twice in recent years with help from campaign group Friends of Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool. 

In a council consultation last year 81 per cent of 3,157 respondents voted to keep the pool.

The newly-announced plans pledge to give the pool building a "complete face-lift" with new public toilets and changing rooms.

The play area will be upgraded to create two adventure playgrounds for children of all ages, extended to replace the crazy golf area and funded by £45,000 from a Section 106 agreement on the town's Old Gaol development. 

The tennis court will be replaced with a multi-use games area, and there will be new picnic tables and seating by the river.

Work on the play areas and swimming pool is expected to start in autumn in time for spring 2017, with smaller improvements completed earlier.