THE 100-year campaign for a swimming pool in Middlewich took a turn for the better this week.

Because members of the Middlewich and District Sports and Leisure Trust (MADSALT) have announced they will submit plans for a swimming pool within six months - and say that if no other proposals are tabled the development will go ahead anyway.

That news will come as a boost to residents frustrated by the on-off saga which for the last year has been hindered by separate proposals for a £37m Olympic swimming pool in the town which have so far proved unsuccessful.

MADSALT had given its backing to private company Mid Point Sport Limited's ambitious plans, but the company went bankrupt late last year with debts in the region of £400,000. It has reformed as MPS UK Ltd and is pursuing its proposals, but MADSALT says it wants to be in a position where it can go ahead on its own.

Chairman of MADSALT Paul Edwards said: 'We know there's a desperate need for a swimming pool and we are making sure that we are in a position to go ahead regardless of what any private company does.

'There's no resentment towards MPS. Its intentions are honourable but we don't want any more delays. If it's sports complex does come off then that's great, but if not we haven't lost any time and our plans can be submitted at the earliest opportunity.'

MADSALT wants to build the pool on land between Middlewich Leisure Centre, which does not have swimming facilities, and the town's high school, and is to ask Congleton Borough Council for a handout to fund a feasibility study using money donated by developers to improve of local leisure facilities.

Then MADSALT, supported by the Middlewich Vision, will be able to approach funding bodies to get the scheme up and running.

Cllr Alison Roylance-White, also a member of MADSALT, said: 'If we go for Lottery funding then we will need to make the complex more of a centre and offer other facilities, not just a swimming pool. We would want to incorporate things like tennis courts and a dance studio and expand the gym facilities on offer in Middlewich - it would be brilliant to have something like that.'

Marjory Issatt of MPS UK Ltd said she supported MADSALT's move, and has been invited to take a seat on the committee.

Town leaders say a swimming pool is a must for a town with so many waterways, because currently pupils from Middlewich have subsidised swimming lessons in either Winsford, Northwich and Sandbach.