PEOPLE are being urged to attend a public meeting being held today to drive forward proposals to set up a trust to take over the management of Portishead Open-air Pool.

The Save the Open-air Pool (STOP) group is holding the meeting at the Somerset Hall at 7pm to discuss further its plans to set up a trust.

The group is hoping to encourage people right across the area to pledge their support to the campaign.

STOP leader Roger Whitfield said: "We want to prove to North Somerset Council that we are serious in our plans to set up a trust and take over the management of the pool. What we need is a mandate from the people of Portishead and the surrounding area that they want to save the pool and we want to see everyone who supports our campaign at the meeting. We are hoping to see the hall packed to the rafters on the evening."

North Somerset Council is currently recommending the pool, which opened in 1962, should close and the site be sold off for development.

The Bristol Evening Post has joined forces with Portishead pool supporters to launch the STOP campaign to fight against the closure.