WATER-lot of generous folk in Chorley!

Local folk have helped raise an amazing £85,000 for the new hydrotherapy pool at Wrightington Hospital -- but there is still a long way to go.

A huge £350,000 is needed to replace the current pool -- situated behind the therapy centre at the hospital on Hall Lane, Appley Bridge.

And the new facility will benefit many patients from Chorley and South Ribble who are treated at the hospital.

Helen France, the pool project administrator, urged people to dig deep saying: "We do need a new pool in a new location.

"The hydrotherapy pool we have got at the moment is about 30 years old and the technology involved in using the pool has developed dramatically.

"You can get several people in the current pool, but really we need a substantially sized one that people can swim in. "

She said the fund-raising was necessary due to tight budgets.

"We have a pool, it's operational, and so replacing it is not seen as essential.

"We got a bequest to start the fund-raising off, and we have had a Valentine's Ball, raffles, sponsored walks and donations from patients."

And a sell-out Indian night on Saturday, August 12 -- when ticket holders will enjoy an evening of Indian food, costume and dance -- will help boost the funds.

One of the guests will be senior physiotherapist Alison Gerrard who has worked poolside for 18 years.

She said: "It's easier for the patients to do their exercise in the water as it's quite weightless.

"There are a lot of young people with rheumatoid arthritis who benefit from it. And the warmth is very relaxing.

"It helps people's mobility because they don't have the pain that they do when exercising out of the water."

She added: "It's been a struggle to keep the pool going maintenance wise.

"We use it all the time and if it's out of order it is a nightmare.

"We are having to replace the parts every time they break down.

"We are in dire need of a new pool."