Business owners across Portishead have joined the campaign to raise funds to keep the town's open-air pool open.

Dozens of shop owners in the town have taken delivery of special collection tins and posters as part of the Save The Open-air Pool (STOP) campaign's 'Pound for the Pool' fundraising drive.

So far, collection tins have been delivered to more than 20 shops in Portishead, with more businesses expected to start collections in the next week.

People have already been popping their coins into the tins to help raise money to get the 1960s lido open for this season.

Local residents have also been stopping members of the STOP group in the high street and either handing over cash or pledging to make a donation.

STOP campaigners have set up a charitable trust – The Portishead Pool Community Trust – in an attempt to take over the lido from North Somerset Council and run it as a not-for-profit organisation.

North Somerset Council is currently in talks with the trust about the option of it taking over the pool and a final decision on its future is expected within the next few weeks.

The 'Pound for the Pool' campaign was launched this week in an attempt to raise around £20,000 to secure the lido, one of the only remaining open-air facilities in the South West, can open this season.

STOP campaign leader Roger Whitfield said: "The response to the appeal has been fantastic and already the collection tins are starting to get filled with cash."

Money has also started to flood in to STOP campaign headquarters, with cheques arriving in the post just 48 hours after the appeal was launched.

Many of those who have donated cash sent accompanying letters, pledging their ongoing support to keep the pool open.

Mr Whitfield said: "The appeal has really started to take off and I was delighted and amazed when, just two days after the appeal was launched, cheques started arriving in the post.

"People are being very generous, with some people giving as much as £25 and others donating £1 for everyone in their household.

"Every single penny counts and I would like to thank everyone for their support so far.

"We need to keep up the momentum and raise as much money as possible over the coming few weeks. We need to prove to the council that we, and the people of Portishead and the surrounding area, are serious about our plans to get the pool open this summer."

North Somerset Council chiefs made a recommendation to close the pool earlier this year, claiming it cost £130,000 a year to run and it was subsidising each swim by more than £14.

But a special panel tasked with the job of scrutinising the recommendation said council leaders should consider the option of the attraction being run by a trust.

Local businesses stepped forward following the news the pool was under threat, with some offering to install solar panels and others pledging to refurbish the changing rooms.

Portishead Councillor Reyna Knight, who represents the town's central ward, said she too would be donating to the campaign.

Cllr Knight said: "I think the fundraising campaign is a fantastic idea and hope everyone in the town supports it."

Collection boxes bearing the STOP campaign logo are at Nortech Computers, Larsen's Café, Portishead Business Centre, Morgan Westley, Larsen's Café, Bella Natura, Bennett's Barber Shop, Juicy Jones, Mother Nature, Hayley's Hair Studio, Portishead Pet and Garden Centre, The Outlet, McCormicks Café and Restaurant, Super Savers, Zebra and Carey's DIY, all of which are on the high street.

Collection tins are also at Robert John Hairdressers at Cabstand and Mark's Barbers at West Hill.

Anyone wanting to make a donation can also send a cheque or postal order made payable to Portishead Pool Community Trust, to Nortech Computers, 10 High Street, Portishead, BS20 6EW.

If the council rejects the option of placing the pool in the hands of a trust and decides to close the pool, all money collected from the campaign will be donated to community projects in Portishead.

At Nortech Computers, Roger Thompson, said: "The pool is a fantastic community facility and must be saved not only for now, but for generations to come."

Larsen's Café waitress Nadia Pearson, 23, said: "I will be encouraging customers to put their loose change in the collection box to support the fundraising campaign."

Morgan Westley co-owner Matt Westley said: "I am a great supporter of the open-air pool. My father-in-law Morgan Iles was one of the driving forces in getting the pool built and it would be a crime if it shut."

At Bella Natura, shop assistant Rachel Pratt said: "I think the 'Pound for the Pool' campaign is an excellent idea.

"£1 is a very small amount for people to give and I hope everyone will support it."

Bennett's Barbers' Joe Weaver, 20, said: "I will be rattling the collection tin and asking my customers to donate a £1 to keep the pool open."

Juicy Jones fruit and veg shop owner Simon Jones, 34, said: "The community needs to get together and work to stop the pool closing.

"If the trust can raise money and run the pool, the council has no reason to close it."

Portishead Pet and Garden Centre's Neil Harris, who is retired but helps in the shop, said: "We came to Portishead 21 years ago and have often used the pool.

"I think the campaign to keep it open is a great idea."

The Outlet shop owner David Mortimore, aged 42, said: "I think the fundraising drive is a good idea as the pool is a valuable amenity for the whole of Portishead."

Mother Nature's health advisor Sarah Tynan, aged 39, said: "I am a mum of two and I use the pool regularly. It is imperative that it is kept open."

Hayley's Hair Studio stylist Aimee Ford, aged 26, said: "The pool has been a part of Portishead for so many years.

"I will be asking customers to dig deep and support the fundraising campaign."

McCormicks Coffee Shop and Restaurant owner Donya McCormick, aged 48, said: "I have teenage daughters and they use the pool in the summer.

"It must stay open."

Super Saver Store owner Adrian Fishman, aged 60, said: "I am 100 per cent behind the campaign to save the pool.

"We have lived in Portishead for 30 years and my children have used it and enjoyed it over the years."

Zebra Clothes and Accessories shop assistant Lorraine Milsom, aged 49, said: "I fully support the campaign to save the pool.

"It is a wonderful facility, especially for the young people, in the summer."

At Carey's DIY shop, Ray Cockburn, aged 50, said: "The pool needs to be kept open and I am a great supporter of the campaign to save it, especially as it provides a much- needed amenity for the children in the town."

Robert John Hairdressing owner Jenny Hancock, aged 62, said: "I met my Bob at the pool and we've been married for 40 years.

"Portishead is a growing town and we need to preserve our amenities, not close them, and that is why we are backing the campaign."

Mark's Barbers owner Mark O'Hare said: "I fully support the 'Pound for the Pool' campaign.

"I have lived in Portishead all my life and my family and I have always used the pool and it would be a real shame to see it go.

"I am more than happy to have a collection box and will be asking all of my customers to dig deep and help to support this fantastic fundraising appeal."