BARNSLEY has been handed £400,000 - the highest amount of funding available in the country - to keep the town’s swimming pools afloat.

The council submitted a joint bid with Barnsley Premier Leisure for phase one of Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, and found they had been successful earlier this week.

With energy prices continuing to rise, it has been more difficult for providers like BPL to meet the costs to continue running swimming pools.

Securing this funding will help to offset those increased costs, allowing the pools to stay open.

A further £40m is available in phase two, which is to help improve the energy efficiency of facilities.

The council has also applied for funding from phase two and await the outcome of the decision.

It will help keep the Metrodome’s swimming pools afloat during the cost-of-living crisis.

Coun James Higginbottom, cabinet spokesperson for environment and highways, said: “It’s fantastic that our joint bid with BPL for this phase one funding has been successful.

“Swimming pools are a crucial community asset which help contribute to physical activity participation rates as well as improving physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“This funding will help to safeguard the future of the Metrodome’s pools, allowing future generations to learn to swim, which is an important life skill, and enjoy the benefits it brings.”