THE battle to save a small town's swimming pool may be lost, but campaigners say they will continue to fight for more facilities.

Blaenavon swimming pool was finally demolished in December, almost a year after it was forced to close when storms tore the roof off.

Torfaen council said the building did not have a future, and drew up plans to build a £15 million school on the site.

After a passionate eight-month campaign, pressure group BLAST (Blaenavon Leisure and Swimming Troubleshooters) conceded they could not afford to take planned legal action against the authority.

But the group says the fight is far from over.

Secretary Claire Higgins said: "We are keeping a close eye on the council to make sure they put something there for the benefit of the people of Blaenavon.

"They promised leisure facilities and we're going to make sure they stick to their word."

The group is meeting next week to discuss where they go from here.

But independent Blaenavon councillor Tom Huish said he will continue to fight for a new pool in the town, and slammed the council for making a "wrong decision" for the people of Blaenavon.

He said: "This town and the north of the borough needs swimming pool leisure facilities like these.

"The fight will continue to have a new leisure centre and swimming pool built."

Meanwhile Torfaen council says site clearance work will continue in January to allow the first phase of the £15million development to proceed.

It is expected the planning application will be submitted in late spring or early summer when options have been finalised.

Leisure facilities planned for the development include a new school hall, fitness studio including a multi-gym, and a floodlit all-weather multi-use games area.

Other improvements for the town will include pitch improvements for local teams, and discussions with the Blaenavon Blues football club have already started.