The district's four community-operated swimming pools look set to receive a cash boost in the coming financial year, although opening hours at council-run baths may be reviewed if the public aren't using them.

Next week, Teignbridge Council's executive will be urged to approve an increase in the grants offered to pools in Kingsteignton, Chud-leigh, Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead.

Each is run by residents and receives between £1,000 and £1,250 from the authority.

The proposal is to increase that to £2,500, a move welcomed by those struggling to keep the facilities going.

Maureen Cole, chairman of the Kingsteignton facility where running costs exceed £55,000 a year, said: 'That's wonderful news. If anything, I thought that with all the cuts the reverse might be happening.

'Now we've got to hope we get the same sort of support from the town council, too.'

FULL STORY IN OUR ONLINE EDITION