Over £20,000 has been raised to save a swimming club near Milton Keynes from closure.

Newport Pagnell Swimming Club, which is one of the oldest swimming clubs in the world, received the donations after a Crowdfunder page was launched.

READ MORE: Residential village has PCSO increase following reports of anti-social behaviour

The aim was to originally raise £10,000 before February 1 to help the club’s finances, as the country entered its third lockdown in 10 months.

The club has been hit hard due to the financial crisis caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, with group potentially closing due to a loss of income.

But due to the generosity from those who live in the North Bucks area, the money that has been raised will ‘provide us [the club] with additional security to ensure that we [the club] have sufficient funds to cover increasing costs’, according to Newport Pagnell Swimming Club’s chairman.

The club is based at the Middleton Pool and Fitness Centre in the town. 

In a brief statement on the Crowdfunding page, it said: “When we went into lockdown in March, pools closed.

READ MORE: Driver is caught with 'no insurance or licence' after car breaks down on dual carriageway

“We decided as a club, we would not charge full fees during this period, as we could not offer swimming and to help parents whose own finances were also being affected by Covid-19.

“We were able to get back to the pool in August with Covid-19 restrictions causing increased pressures.

"Limited number of swimmers in each lane and strict procedures being applied has put a severe strain on the finances of the club.

“Our small pot of reserves which helped us through the first lockdown is almost empty, and with lockdown two in November, this has increased the problem.

“Our income is received from fees, memberships and fundraising and due to lower numbers and limited fundraising opportunities during this current pandemic, our outgoings are exceeding our income and if this continues and we do not raise the funds our club will have to close.”

READ MORE: Ex-Bucks resident James Corden takes aim at President Trump with Les Mis parody

Several of the club’s current members, as well as past participants, have also left testimonials on the page to express their gratitude on what NPSC has done for them.

To donate, or to read the information on their Crowdfunder page, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/savenpsc.

The club was launched in 1896.