A swimming pool where generations learnt to swim could be lost to the community after a school could not meet the costly repair bill.

Councillor Rachel Reid was one of hundreds of children who learned to swim at Chessington’s Moor Lane swimming pool aged six.

But that history could be under threat after Castle Hill Primary School, which now owns the pool, revealed it was struggling to keep it afloat.

Coun Reid said: “Moor Lane has got a history behind it and it serves the community. I learnt how to swim there, my sister did too and my kids have had lessons there.”

The pool, which is more than 30 years old and used to be part of the former Moor Lane Primary School, currently provides swimming lessons to children, mothers and babies and older members of the community.

A spokesman from Castle Hill Primary School, in Buckland Road, said: “In the light of detailed assessment the pool now requires very costly maintenance work over the next couple of years. This is beyond the scope of the school’s budget.

“Castle Hill Primary School will no longer be using the swimming pool at Moor Lane from the end of this academic year.

“As of September pupils will use the pool at the Hook Swim School next to St Paul’s Primary School.”

Councillor Patricia Bamford said: “We are keen to make sure the existing provision can continue or be improved and we will belooking at options to secure future funding if need be.”

The future of the pool could be made part of a long-term plan laid out by residents, who want to improve sporting facilities in Chessington.

Councillors are set to meet to make a decision on what action to take to secure the future of the Moor Lane pool.

Did you learn to swim at the pool? What do you think should happen to it? Contact Nazia Dewji on 0208 744 4288.