A TRACTOR driving lesson with Clarkson's Farm star Kaleb Cooper and a beer drinking session in a brewery, helped raise £16,000 to help run an open air swimming pool.

The Chipping Norton Lido auction, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson took place on Friday at Chipping Norton Town Hall.

Lots included included a six-month supply of eggs, pony riding, beer tasting at Hook Norton Brewery and a classic car experience.

Funds were raised for the pool, which has been run by local people as a charity since 2004, because the rises in energy prices have “hit the lido hard”.

Oxford Mail: Jeremy Clarkson hosts the auction every yearJeremy Clarkson hosts the auction every year

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It was threatened with closure before being taken on by the community after the district council withdrew its funding in 2003.

The pool, measuring 25m, was first opened in 1970 followed by a £75k revamp in 2014 through a £60k grant from Sport England and community fundraising.

At the auction, the tractor driving lesson was the most popular item going for £1,100. Ticket prices were also £20 per person.

Oxford Mail: The lido in Chipping Norton which is community-runThe lido in Chipping Norton which is community-run

Mr Clarkson, who famously lives in Chadlington, has hosted the auction since 2007 and is a long-time supporter of the pool, which he praised in his Sunday Times column. 

Before the auction, Lido trustee Claire Jarvis said: "It's a long postponed night of fevered bidding and top class entertainment to raise vital funds for the community-run pool.

Oxford Mail: The tractor lessons went for the most moneyThe tractor lessons went for the most money

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"The audience is promised an unmissable event that will help the pool withstand the current energy crisis and remain open to the public."

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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