DEDICATED volunteers trying to reopen Beccles outdoor pool have been gifted with an early Christmas present of �140,000.Beccles Lido Limited will receive the cash to equip the pool with a solar-powered ground source heating system to keep the water warm.

DEDICATED volunteers trying to reopen Beccles outdoor pool have been gifted with an early Christmas present of �140,000.

Beccles Lido Limited will receive the cash to equip the pool with a solar-powered ground source heating system to keep the water warm.

It will be only the second swimming pool in the UK to use such ground-breaking technology.

The grant was received from the British Gas Green Streets project, which funds innovative projects that save energy, generate energy, and actively engage the local community.

As part of the Lido project, the money will also be used to fund energy-saving and energy-generating projects in 20 local domestic households.

The news came as something of a shock as an initial bid for the grant, back in the autumn, was unsuccessful.

However judges were so impressed the team of volunteers were encouraged to reapply for a “wild card” entry, which proved a triumph.

It is one of 14 successful projects around the country to share a total of �2m, and it is the only swimming pool involved in the initiative.

Shaun Crowley, director of Beccles Lido Limited, said it was fantastic news adding that work would get underway in January.

The project involves drilling boreholes to extract the heat that naturally exists underground and using it to heat the water in the pool. Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels will be installed on the roof to generate the electricity needed to power the ground source heat pumps.

10 households have so far come forward to be equipped with energy-saving technology, but Beccles Lido Limited is still looking for more.

The technology, which will include the installation of smart meters, loft and cavity wall insulation, new boilers and even solar energy systems, will be installed for free in exchange for the household signing up to British Gas.

Beccles Lido Limited will be at Beccles market today looking for more volunteers.

In addition to a share of the �2m, Beccles Lido will compete against the other 13 community groups to win a prize of up to �100,000 for a further renewable energy project within the local community.

The winners will be judged on how much energy they have managed to save, as well as how well they influenced the local community to be eco-friendly.

If you would like to volunteer to be part of the project, telephone Beccles Lido on 01502 714911 or email info@beccleslido.com