A Sutton primary school has launched a huge £415,000 school-community fundraising project to “save” its swimming pool after more than 60 years of “loyal service”.

More than 4,000 children have learned to swim at Academy Primary Academy in Avenue Road since it was constructed in 1958, according to the school.

But the school “won’t let the pool go under” and is now raising the amount to keep it going for six more decades.

Hayley Cameron, acting head of the school, said: "I have been teaching at Avenue Primary for over 13 years now.

"In that time I have seen a number of different children from all backgrounds come and go.

"It is our responsibility to keep our children safe and teach them skills which will help them to independently ensure their own safety in the future.

"Swimming is a key skill set which is why we are fully committed to this fundraising project and also the reason that we are asking for your help."

An appeal video has been released on the website in a bid to get supporters on board.

The project is set out in three phases, with hope that construction of the new pool next January before it is officially opened in April 2019.

Phase one – which is complete – involves extending and refurbishing the existing changing rooms, coming in at a cost of £70,000.

Building the new, extended pool – costing £255,000 – is part of stage two and, after being given £105,000 the school needs an extra £15,000 by Christmas.

Finally, the third phase involves building an enclosure for the new facility at £265,000 as Avenue Primary School want to get the pool back in use “as soon as possible”.

It’s estimated, over the next 60 years, more than 8,000 children will learn to swim in the pool for free.

And taking the whole school swimming for half a term would cost £15,212.40 – or £18.11 per children – excluding transport costs and other factors, according to the school.

People are being encouraged to do complete various activities in a bid to fundraise the money, such as purchasing pieces of equipment and attending the school’s events.

To see more, click here.