Lakeland Initiative for Fitness and Excellence (LIFE) has been given £104,000 by South Lakeland District Council for the development and operation of Troutbeck Bridge Swimming Pool in Cumbria.

The purpose of the grant, which will be delivered over the next three years, is to stabilise the 35-year-old pool and ensure it remains operational.

However, it has been reported that LIFE plans to redevelop the pool into a multi-million pound, dual-use, fitness centre renamed Troutbeck Bridge Sports Village to revitalise the facility.

If successful, the new complex will link with neighbouring sports college The Lakes School and would add a six-lane pool, learners pool, a health suite and dance studio.

Councillor Peter Thornton, SLDC’s Communities and Wellbeing portfolio holder, said: "Troutbeck Pool is important to the council due to its location in the north of the district. It has had a long and successful history of providing community sport and health facilities and there is tremendous support in the area for its continued success.

"We have recognised the importance of the pool by awarding the £104,000 grant to help the new operators with their ambitions.”

LIFE recently took over the running of the pool after the previous operators –Troutbeck Pool Limited – went into administration.