A project to get a swimming pool constructed in a Suffolk village has been boosted after it got a £20,000 grant.

Debenham Community Pool Project has now raised almost £50,000 which is about a quarter of the total needed.

The £20,000 grant for the pool, which is to be built at the village primary school, has come from Mid Suffolk District Council.

Chairman of the pool project, Sacha Feeney-Howells, said they were now looking to bid for a £100,000 Sport England grant.

She said: “We are still very actively fundraising. The biggest thing is that we are working closely with the Amateur Swimming Association which is helping us with the bid.

“The village support for the project has been overwhelming. We will probably find when the pool is built there will not be enough room for everyone to use it. Getting it used will not be a problem.

“By getting the grant from Mid Suffolk it shows organisations that we are serious. The more we get, the more confident other funders will be.”

The fundraising music event ‘Rocktober’ will be held again this year. Debenham High School will host the night, for adults only, on October 5, between 7-11pm.

The pool committee organised a fun run earlier in the year with 10km, 5km and 1km races on offer.

Suffolk County Council has also pledged more than £22,000 to the project.

The heated outdoor swimming pool would be available to use throughout the year by the community. The school’s existing pool was built in the 1950s.

For more information on the project go to www.debenhamcommunityswimmingpool.org.uk