Hundreds of people are being urged to form a "circle of support" around Portishead's open air pool to highlight the need to keep the seafront attraction open.

Supporters and users of the pool are being invited to a special open evening on Monday, September 1, where they will be asked to join hands and form a human circle around the building to show council chiefs their support for keeping it open.

The protest will form part of a special open evening being organised at the pool by the Friends of Portishead Open Air Pool.

The event comes as North Somerset Council reviews the future of the pool, which is run by contractors DC Leisure on its behalf.

The council has set up a special working group to scrutinise the running costs, operation and maintenance of the attraction, the findings of which are expected to be discussed next month.

Friends of Portishead Open Air Pool spokeswoman Annette Hennessey said: "We hope lots of people will come and join the circle of support around the pool. Until the outcome of the scrutiny report is known, the pool's future is not safeguarded from subsidy cuts and possible closure and every person in the circle will count."

The latest bid by the friends' group to protect the last open air pool in North Somerset, which was has attracted celebrity support from Bristol-based actor Norman Bowler. He will be judging a children's colouring competition, with the winning picture being used as the front page of a planned community history booklet about the pool.

Mrs Hennessey said: "Swimmers are welcome as normal but we would like people who are not swimming on the day to take advantage of the opportunity to come in for free and look at the pool facilities, view the history of the pool through photographs donated by local people, sample delicious food that we feel should be provided through the season in the cafe and take part in the human circle of support."

The event will take place from 5pm to 7pm on Monday, September 1.

Any children wanting to enter the art competition should take their pictures of the pool to 75 Woodhill Road, Portishead or to Bella Natura, High Street, Portishead.

The closing date for entries is Saturday August 30.