SUPPORTERS of Banbury's open air swimming pool are planning a pre-local election quiz for Cherwell District Council candidates.

Campaigners who have been battling to save the pool from closure say they want to know where town candidates stand on the issue - before casting votes at the May 3 elections.

Sitting councillors and new nominees will be invited to a public meeting to face questions from outdoor swim enthusiasts.

But the campaigners might be targeting the wrong people - with the decision on pool's future likely to rest in the hands of councillors from other parts of the district.

The pool, part of the town's Woodgreen Leisure Centre, is facing its fourth summer of shutdown after health and safety and insurance issues were not addressed.

Now, the pool and its surroundings have deteriorated to such an extent that refurbishment will cost up to £1m.

Early last year, Cherwell District Council announced the permanent closure of the pool, sparking a flood of protests which forced the council to rethink the matter.

Inter-party politics came into play with CDC's Labour proposing a rescue package, and Tories countering that with their own plan.

Banbury Town Council offered to take over the running of the pool and employed consultants to draw up a feasibility report.

The report painted a grim picture with figures showing the pool would lose up to £50,000 in a good year and as much as £220,000 in a bad weather summer.

The town council promised £50,000 a year to subsidise running costs, and referred the issue back to CDC.

At this year's budget meeting, Cherwell made £750,000 availalbe for pool repair work, and asked it's scrutiny committee to investigate the viability of re-opening the facility.

The pool support group welcomed the extra cash and are now looking for further commitment from councillors.

Campaign co-ordinator Derrick Knight said: "We are looking at possible dates for the public meeting and will make an announcement in the near future. We want to know how councillors will vote on the pool if they are elected."

But Cllr John Colegrave, leader of Banbury Town Council, said: "All of Banbury's district councillors will vote in favour of re-opening the pool. The councillors who need persuading are those from Bicester, Kidlington, and the villages.

"I can see a situation where Banbury representatives will vote 'yes' to re-opening, Bicester and Kidlington will vote 'no,' and the balance of power will lie with village councillors. They are the ones campaigners need to get on their side."

Banbury has 14 councillors on CDC, Bicester has 11 and Kidlington five. The remaining 20 councillors represent rural communities.