The Flamingo Pool in Axminster has said it needs support from the community "now more than ever", after a major fault was discovered in the structure of the main pool.

Staff have described it as a "truly devastating time", as the main pool has been unable to reopen following the Christmas period. However, the hydrotherapy pool remains open for pre-booked sessions.

The main pool has now been drained to allow experts to investigate the structural fault and report back with their findings.

A statement from the Flamingo Pool read: "We have been in contact with experts and are awaiting their response. We thank you all for your patience and understanding in what is a truly devastating time for the Flamingo Pool.

"We need your support now, more than ever and we will update via our social media channels when we have more news and hopefully an updated timeframe on the length of the closure, however at this current time we are led to believe it will be at least for the entirety of January 2023, possibly further.

"The hydrotherapy pool remains open and has not been affected but prior booking is essential. Please be aware our phone lines will be extremely busy, so we ask for your patience when phoning to book a slot.

"The beginner lessons will be running as normal in the hydrotherapy pool, and we will be in contact with all main pool lessons in due course."

The fault was discovered as the Flamingo Pool, which is run as a charity and not funded by the local council like many other swimming pools, was campaigning to raise £250,000 to upgrade its facilities and make them more sustainable, which will in turn help to reduce energy and running costs.