BERKELEY residents are being asked to take a gamble to make a splash this spring.

The Berkeley Swimming Pool Committee is launching a special lottery to help raise funds for necessary repair work to the town's swimming pool.

The pool, which was built at the primary school more than 50 years ago to teach children in the area to swim after several tragedies on the River Severn, is in need of refurbishment.

The swimming pool committee has already spent more than £20,000 on the pool, but more money is needed to pay for heating and showers.

Philip Greenaway, chairman of the committee, said: "This is part of our ongoing fundraising.

"We spent £20,000 on it last year to get it up to standard for swimming with a new pump and filtration but the next stage is to get some heating in there. This is an ongoing project.

"At the moment children are bussed to Dursley pool for swimming lessons when we have this pool right on our doorstep."

To take part in the lottery participants will pay £12 for the year, and there will be a monthly draw with a first prize of £30 and a runner-up prize of £20. These figures may change depending on the number of people taking part.

Deadline for entries is March 30 and tickets can be bought at either Berkeley Primary School or the Coventry Building Society in the town.

For more information call Berkeley Primary School on 01453 810254.