A Burnham cleaner is rallying support to build a swimming pool in the town within five years.

Tom Fairhall, 36, of Maldon Road, has set up a petition against Maldon District Council’s decision to not build a swimming pool in Burnham because it is too expensive.

Last year councillors ruled out options to invest in a new pool at the Dengie Hundred Sports Centre, or Ormiston Rivers Academy, in Burnham, or build a new centre with a pool.

They said it would be “outside of the revenue affordability level”.

Other options are to replace the Dengie Hundred Sports Centre, not invest in it, or operate facilities at Ormiston Rivers Academy.

Mr Fairhall, who runs an exterior cleaning company, hopes to drum up enough support to encourage councillors to change their minds.

He believes that if enough residents give up their time to help build a swimming pool, then it will bring down the cost and could mean it is a viable option.

He said: “I want to have a swimming pool in Burnham within five years.

“You have got to have a goal then otherwise it just won’t get done."

See this week's MBS for the full story.