DISABLED swimmers and patients undergoing rehabilitation after injury and orthopaedic surgery have been buoyed by news that, after months of uncertainty, the hydrotherapy pool at Christchurch hospital is to remain open.

Fears were first floated in April that the pool - in need of costly major refurbishment - could be closed as part of cost-cutting and re-organisation measures.

The news was greeted with dismay by patients and the Bournemouth Disabled Swimming Club, which raised a 3,000-name petition protesting against the threatened closure of the facility, enjoyed for more than 30 years by its 150 members of all ages.

Spinal arthritis sufferers of the Bournemouth branch of the Akylosing Spondylitis Association also feared losing the therapeutic effect of warm water and exercise enjoyed in the hydrotherapy pool.

But local health chiefs have now announced that the pool will remain open as long as extra income can be generated from increased commercial use by organisations and private patients.

Tony Spotswood, chief executive of the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch hospitals NHS trust, said: "The good news is that we have been able to do some further work that would suggest it is possible to maintain the pool on the understanding that we are able to attract additional commercial work.

"We are optimistic from the analysis we have done that we will gain sufficient commercial and external users to help with the funds."

He stressed that hydrotherapy treatment would still be available free to NHS patients, many of them attending as out patients after receiving orthopaedic surgery at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital which does not have its own pool.

Mr Chope, who joined the Disabled Swimming Club at its recent session to celebrate the reprieve for the pool, said: "The pool is a valuable asset and amenity for local people and needs to be put to more extensive use."