A group has set up its own website to promote Medway’s only open air pool.

Keen outdoor swimmers set up the Friends of the Strand Pool (Fosp) group earlier this year after Medway Council slashed The Strand lido’s opening hours.

They launched a social media campaign after council bosses decided the pool in Gillingham would only be open at weekends until July 24, and then open daily until Sunday, September 4, between 11am and 5pm.

The pool had previously been open from 8.30am to 7pm, seven days a week, and a petition calling on the council to reverse its decision received more than 1,000 signatures in just a week.

The Friends group held a number of cleaning days at the pool over the summer and organised a party for its 120th birthday.

Although the council has not changed its mind, the Friends group has now decided to work with officers to clean and promote the pool.

Peter Wright, vice-chairman of the friends, said: “The petition was dealt with by the council at the overview and scrutiny committee. They gave us time to present our case and we had a 40 minute debate with them. They reassured us that there was no intention to close the pool.”

The group now plans to work on promoting the pool and hopes to organise future events to attract more visitors to the lido.

Mr Wright added: “If we can do things to save the council money, like painting the pool and cleaning it, promoting it on Facebook and now with the website it will help bring more people in.”

For more information search Strand Lido open for Swimming Campaign on Facebook or visit www.strandpool.info