School pool campaigners have launched an appeal in a bid to teach children to swim.

Parents and staff rallied round after the pool liner at Elm Grove School in Elm Grove, Worthing, split in May and all the water drained away.

They were already looking at replacing the pool when the accident occurred but now face an uphill struggle to raise funds for a replacement facility.

Thousands of children have been taught to swim in the pool but the school was turned down when it tried to get funding for a new pool from West Sussex County Council and the National Lottery.

A Save Our Pool committee has been set up and events are being held to raise cash for a replacement pool, which could cost between £40,000 and £100,000.

Helen Beretta, spokeswoman for the committee, said: "Our pool liner split at the beginning of May this year so we have no pool on our school site.

"At a public meeting attended mainly by parents of children at the school, it was decided unanimously to rebuild our pool. This is a mammoth task for parents and staff but one we take up willingly if it means we get our pool back.

"The costs of rebuilding range from more than £100,000 for the ideal covered pool, including showers, toilets and changing rooms, to about £40,000 to replace what we have now with a slightly larger open-air pool.

"We were aware that our pool was coming to the end of its days and started fund-raising back in July last year and to date have raised almost £9,000.

"We have held various fund-raising events, such as Top of the Pops shows, a beauty evening and fashion show along with the usual fairs.

"Our pupils are also keen to help, holding their own toy sales, cake sales and discos."

The school is holding a barbecue evening, with a beer tent, featuring local bands Slowhand Blues Band and Taxi Home on July 23 at 6pm.

Pupils will sing pop songs. Tickets cost £5 in advance or £6 on the night. Admission for children is free.

Organisers are looking for somebody to loan them a marquee free of charge in case the weather is poor.

Contact the school on 01903 249387 or Stephen Lambsden on 07786 968476 if you can help.