THE Friends of Swindon Health Hydro welcomed hundreds of people to the facility on Heritage Open Days.

Nearly 300 visitors enjoyed looking around the facilities and finding out more about its fascinating history on a guided tour during one September weekend.

A spokeswoman for the Milton Road swimming pool and gym said: "We were hugely encouraged by the number of visitors.

"Those who didn’t know the building were taken aback by its size, by the quantity of original features still remaining and were in awe of its place in this town’s, and this country’s, social history as pivotal in the gestation and formation of the NHS.

"Those who knew the Hydro were keen to share their affection for the building and their hope to see it restored to its former glory.

"Particularly high on everyone’s list was the reopening of the small learner pool, bereft of water and looking very sorry for itself for the past six years. "

The group is trying to relocate some of the original fixtures & fittings and furniture, like the large table from the committee room or the glazed screens from the small pool and the Turkish Baths.

Email friendsofhealthhydro@gmail.com