Chudleigh residents threw themselves into the celebrations at the town's community-operated swimming pool on Saturday after learning that a £40,000 grant will put an end to time-consuming and expensive maintenance.

The Sport England award means the popular facility can be re-lined with a stone and concrete mix which should last many years.

Until now volunteers have had to be drafted in regularly to strip and re-apply a waterproof paint.

John Evans, chairman of the Chudleigh Community Project, was delighted.