The Arundel and Downland Community Leisure Trust recently welcomed new members of Friends of Arundel Pool at the first social evening for supporters of the Arundel open-air pool.

Launched in the summer, the Friends is a new supporters' group aimed at encouraging not only residents of Arundel and the downland area but also those living in the outer reaches of West Sussex to back the fund-raising efforts taking place to secure the pool's long-term future.

The pool shut in September 1999. Its closure marked the end of open-air swimming in West Sussex.

Since then, the trust has launched an appeal to raise £1.75 million to completely refurbish the site.

Its plans include replacing the ageing buildings with a community sports hall, a health and fitness suite and a wet-and-dry changing area.

More than 50 new members attended the social evening at Pizza Express in Arundel, where they had the opportunity to view the latest architects' drawings of the proposed buildings and speak to trustees about the trust's plans. Trustee Joanna Williams, who organised the Friends' initiative said: "It was a wonderful evening aimed at gathering together all those who have become Friends of Arundel Pool, to welcome them to the campaign and thank them for their support.

"More than 140 households have so far signed up."

An annual subscription to join the the Friends costs £10 for individual membership or £20 for family membership.

Friends receive a membership card, regular copies of the trust's newsletter, containing updates on all the Trust's fund-raising activities and plans for the pool site, and invitations to social events.

Anyone interested in joining should call Joanna Williams on 01243 551524 or write to The Arundel and Downland Community Leisure Trust, Arundel Swimming Pool, Arundel, West Sussex, BN18 9JG.