RAMSBOTTOM Pool re-opens on Monday (July 14) complete with a gymnasium, following a £350,000 refurbishment.

Over the past two months the swimming pool has been upgraded, the building refurbished and a gym facility fitted, with £150,000 of equipment installed.

Ramsbottom Pool, in Porritt Street, dates back to 1972 after the local community rallied round to raise the money to pay for it.

Bury Mayor Coun Wilf Davison will officially open the pool and gym complex at 11.30am and the leisure centre will be open to the public from 4pm.

Coun Siobhan Costello, executive member for community services, said: "Thirty years ago the public of Ramsbottom were quite rightly very proud and pleased when their brand new pool was opened, thanks to the money raised by public subscription.

"Since then the council has continued to invest in this public facility, but now we believe that the addition of the gym and the huge variety of equipment it contains, linked with the pool, provides a fantastic leisure and sporting complex for the use of local people."

The gym contains 40 pieces of equipment.

Graham Atkinson, borough leisure services officer, said: "There is now also the chance to take advantage of all the leisure facilities run by the council across the borough at a cut price rate too. For a fee of just £25 per month, users can pop in for a great workout at the Ramsbottom gym and enjoy a refreshing dip afterwards. Their membership also entitles them to use any of the facilities run by Bury Council at its other pools, leisure and sports centres across the borough."