The Flamingo Pool in Axminster will remain closed for the rest of 2020, as it says opening during December will incur losses of £16,000.

The swimming pool, run by the charity Axe Valley Swimming Association, has been hit extremely hard by the government enforced lockdowns this year, losing £9,000 in the last month alone.

Although Devon will be under Tier 2 restrictions as of Wednesday, swimming pools are still allowed to reopen. However, the Flamingo Pool has said it is not in a position to reopen at this time and will remain closed during December.

Staying closed for the next month is expected to incur losses of £9,000, but if the facility were to reopen losses would be estimated at £16,000 due to a drop in numbers using the pool.

A statement from the Flamingo Pool said: "These figures have led to the extremely difficult decision being made to remain closed during the month of December.

"Further to this, the Flamingo Pool, which receives no external funding, will not benefit from the recent news that East Devon leisure centres and swimming pools will be handed between £732,000 and £1,339,000 rescue packages whilst we are eligible for the Local Restrictions Support Grant of £3,000 adding to the financial burden.

"Whilst we appreciate so many of you have supported us throughout these terrible times and rely on the Flamingo Pool, we simply cannot ignore these figures and open as this will lead to a potential loss of the facility in the future.

"We stated when we reopened post the first lockdown that the community would need to 'use us or loose us'. Unfortunately, during the 10 weeks we were open between the end of August and beginning of November, we saw a dramatic drop in usage with long periods of time the pool being empty.

"This was difficult for us to see after the Flamingo Pool was awarded COVID Safe business status and our staff had dramatically stepped up all cleaning regimes to ensure every single member of the public and staff members are safe at all times when visiting the Flamingo Pool.

"At this current time we are aiming for a reopening day of January 4 2021, with all swimming lesson and Hydrotherapy Pool booking monies being honoured.

"We will release further information on this closer to the time. There will be no staff members at the pool to take phone calls so please stand by for more information to be released later in December.

"Everybody at the Flamingo Pool wishes to thank everyone for their on-going support during this difficult period and wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year."

You can support the Flamingo Pool and help it with reopening costs by donating online by clicking here.