Thousands of people appear to have lost their battle to reopen one of Bradford's oldest swimming pools.

Officers will recommend to the Council's Executive Committee next week that it permanently closes Thornton pool, which was opened to the public in 1931 but has been closed on safety grounds since October 2000.

A petition signed by 2,000 people was presented to the Council last year in a bid to save it. Campaigners said there was nowhere else for people in the area to go.

But councillors will be told it would cost at least £825,000 to bring the dilapidated building up to modern standards and make it accessible for disabled people.

The Council is in talks with Sport England to see if it can qualify for Lottery cash to improve swimming facilities in the district and provide a pool fit for the 21st Century.

Executive Member for the Environment, Councillor Anne Hawksworth, said: "We want to provide the best leisure facilities we can, which is why we are conducting a 'best value' review of the sport and leisure service throughout the district.

"Unfortunately, some of our swimming pools have reached the end of their life span and we have to make some difficult decisions to get the excellent facilities we should provide.

"Sport England are assisting officers in identifying strategic plans for swimming facilities across the whole of the district, which could be supported with Lottery funds.

"Thornton pool has been closed for more than a year because of serious structural defects. An independent engineers' report revealed major concerns about the roof, pool hall, balcony, pool tank, boilers and filtration equipment."

But she said additional public swimming sessions and adult sessions had been introduced at Rhodesway School since then, and children had been given lessons at both Rhodesway and Queensbury pools.

Campaigner Melanie Milner said: "We are very disappointed but hope the Council can qualify for Lottery funding and facilities can be provided in this area which people can use."