HUNDREDS of people have got behind a petition to save the Oasis Leisure Centre.

Widespread sadness greeted Wednesday's news that the iconic attraction, which has attracted families to North Start for 44 years, won't be reopening next month.

Daniel Adams set up the Save The Oasis page just hours after as leisure operator GLL and landlord Seven Capital made the decision to keep the doors shut when lockdown ends on December 2.

Nearly 400 had signed the petition when the Adver went to press last night.

Dad-of-two Daniel said: “I put it up and went to bed, and then by the following morning it was a couple of hundred (signatures). I don’t think I’m surprised, but I am happy. I knew people would care about it and I just want more people to share it.”

An agreement is being finalised which will see GLL give back its lease to Seven Capital.

Daniel added: “My dad swam there as a child, probably around about when it first opened, he took me there as a child.

“I learnt to swim there with him, he taught me how to swim under water, that’s also a big memory.”

Daniel, who is a parish councillor for St Andrews, has a six-year-old son Ryan and a daughter Evie, 2.

He added: “I have my children now, and I was teaching my son to swim there. My daughter was starting to go to the swimming pool as well.

“So, it’s three generations and in all honestly, I hoped that my grandchildren would learn to swim there. It just cut across generations.”

When asked how he felt about the recent announcement he said: “Words can’t just describe it, I wish I could.”

The leisure centre gave its name to one of Britain’s biggest bands.

Daniel, 30, tagged frontman Liam Gallagher on Twitter, to draw his attention and get him involved.

Coun Dale Heenan shared the petition on social media and said: “The landlord of Oasis, Seven Capital, must find a new operator to replace GLL as soon as possible and come up with a long term to refurbish the Oasis.”

GLL will continue to operate six municipal leisure centres in Swindon, including Croft Sports Centre, Delta Tennis Centre, Dorcan Recreation Complex, Haydon Centre & Gym, the Health Hydro and Link Centre, with the support of Swindon Borough Council.

To sign the petition visit www.change.org/p/seven-capital-save-the-oasis