THE battle to keep Temple Cowley Pools open has gained some heavyweight support.

Boxing champion David Haye, right, has given his backing to the campaign group, which is seeking to buy the facility.

The 33-year-old former WBA heavyweight champion was told about the campaign by Cowley resident Salman Naqvi, a family friend of Mr Haye.

Mr Naqvi said: “This campaign is dear to my heart as I have attended the pool as a child and gym as an adult and feel that its presence in Cowley is of paramount importance to its community.

“Both I and the campaign group are very grateful for his support as its been an ongoing issue that has created such an indelible impact on the community.”

Oxford City Council plans to close the Temple Road facility and replace it with a new multi-million pound pool in Blackbird Leys because it says the pool is no longer fit for purpose.

The pool has now been registered as a community asset. That means the Save Temple Cowley Pools group could buy it and save it for the community.

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