A local school have launched a fundraising campaign to help things stay afloat at the school's swimming pool.

Eastern Daily Press: Drayton junior schoolDrayton junior school (Image: Archant © 2007)

The swimming pool at Drayton Junior School (DJS) is currently out of action after its air exchange system broke down, just before Christmas.

Now, the Freinds of DJS are hoping that they will be able to accumulate the funds necessary to carry out the repairs it desperately needs.

They have set up a JustGiving page, as part of the appeal, while the school will also be collecting donations, The repairs to the system, which controls the heat and humidity of the room, are likely to cost in the region of £25,000.

Martin White, headteacher of the school said: 'The pool is used by 16 different schools and five clubs from across the region, so it is such a vital community resource.

'The fact that it is closed indefinitely is a crying shame.'

The school has applied to lottery funded scheme Sport England for an inspired facilities grant, and Mr White says he is 'very hopeful' of the application being successful, however, it would still need to be matched by the community.

He added: 'Since the pool opened in 1971, around 165,000 people have learned the swim in it. If every one of those people donated just one pound we would not only be able to repair the system, but maintain it for years to come.

'There are still not that many learner pools available in the Broadland area, which shows just how important a resource it is. We love having a pool at our school and do not want to have to close it permanently.'

For more information on the campaign, visit the school's website. Do you have an education piece? Contact our education correspondent Martin George, on martin.george@archant.co.uk