The campaign to get better access to toilets for the less able is setting its sights on an ambitious improvement at Frome's swimming pool.

Last night's Frome Town Council meeting (Jan 23) heard a passionate talk on behalf of the Changing Places initiative.

They already successfully installed a user-friendly toilet in Frome's market place, but they are now looking not to just improve and restructure toilet facilities at the local swimming pool, but help get the less-able into the water.

The group is pushing for a special harness which can be used to allow members from the successful Frome Falcons Power Chair Football Club, who meet twice a week at the leisure centre into the swimming lanes.

The Falcons are unique, the only powerchair football club in the whole of Somerset and they have 18 members, consisting of mixed ages, genders and disabilities. They also compete in the South West Regional League.

The equipment needed - a Pool-Pod - is expected to cost £50,000, with the group now out and about seeking support and possible funding.

Campaigner, Alison Douthwaite told councillors: " But it is not just for the wheel chair users who cannot get into the pool, what about people with disabilities, the elderly, people with hip problems, pregnant women, so many groups could be helped."

The drive to get better access at the pool is being supported by Fusion who run the lesiure centre and Mendip council.

In 2018 the council opened a fully-accessible Changing Places disabled toilet facility, within the existing Market Yard toilet block.

For more information about the Changing Places campaign push the red button below.

Keep up with Nub News for updates on the campaign to get the equipment into the pool.