Hundreds of volunteers will be descending on Portishead open-air pool over the next week to help with an ambitious makeover project to transform the run down lido.

Local residents, community groups, tradespeople and businesses from across the region are heading to the seafront attraction to offer their services for free to help with the makeover being done by Ty Pennington and his team.

Ty, best known for his role in the hit USA TV show Extreme Makeover Home Edition, is filming the project for his show Ty's Great British Adventure.

Ty, his team of experts and hundreds of volunteers will be on site for the next six days ahead of a special opening of the pool next Wednesday.

Volunteers have already been on site, getting the pool ready for the makeover, clearing away rubbish, repairing leaking pipes and preparing the site.

Some of the volunteers who are stepping in to help have time on their hands after losing their jobs or seeing work drop off as a result of the recession.

One of the volunteers is dad of two Dominic Shakhli, aged 41, from Portishead who came to help after losing his job of 17 years.

He was made redundant from his role as the manager of Zavvi at Cribbs Causeway in February and is helping out at the pool while he looks for another job.

Dominic, who lives at the marina, said: "I live locally and my children have enjoyed the pool over the years.

"I have got a bit of time at the moment and I thought helping at the pool would be a good way of utilising this time.

"I am looking for another job but in the meantime I wanted to support this worthwhile community project.

"I have been doing a variety of tasks including a bit of demolition and some construction work, but am just doing whatever is needed."

Jo Hartry, aged 22, from Southmead has been cycling to the pool every day to help out with the refurbishment.

Jo, a painter and decorator, had been working at his mum Jane's house in South Road, but decided to come and help at the pool after seeing the appeal in the Evening Post.

He is another volunteer who has seen work slow as a result of the deepening economic crisis.

Jo said: "Work was starting to dry up a bit and I had some free time, so thought I would offer my time to the pool.

"I've been here a few days and it's been a lot of fun, such as cleaning up and clearing the site, including the old locker rooms.

"I have seen what Ty does on his other programmes and the makeovers he does are phenomenal.

"I am trying to get my girlfriend to come down and help."

Dad-of-three Matthew Catmur and his wife Caroline, 42, recently moved to Clevedon from Worcester when his job with Warburtons relocated to Avonmouth.

The husband-and-wife team has been helping out at the pool over the past few days.

Matthew said: "I work a four-day-on, four-day-off shift so I thought this would be a good way to spend my spare time.

"Having just relocated to the area I thought it was a good way of helping and meeting new people.

"I am quite a keen DIY person at home and will just do whatever is needed to get the job done."

Production company, Twofour Broadcast, is filming the makeover for the show which will be aired on UJTV Style in September.

Trustees and TV bosses are appealing for local tradesmen, who may have some time available this weekend, to head down to the pool to help.

Joint site manager, Andy Thatcher, aged 54, is a self-employed electrical engineer and has taken time out of his busy schedule to help with the makeover.

Mr Thatcher, who lives in Portishead, said: "We are really pleased with the number of volunteers who have turned up to help. But we always need more and are particularly looking for trades people such as builders, electricians and carpenters who can spare us some of their time."

Series producer, David Baines, said: "We could do with plumbers, electricians, joiners, builders and carpenters – anyone with a skill really.

"If they could come along over the weekend or during the week if they are not working, it would be much appreciated."

For more information about becoming a volunteer log on to www.portisheadopenairpool.org.uk or visit the pool.