CAMPAIGNERS for a swimming pool in Cowley took to the streets On Saturday to urge residents to sign a petition, with help from legendary folk singer Peggy Seeger.

Members of Save Temple Cowley Pools set up camp at Templars Shopping Centre on Saturday to get 1,500 signatures for their latest petition to Oxford City Council.

The petition is urging the council to rebuild a swimming pool and leisure facilities after the Temple Cowley Pools site was sold in December 2014 for £3.5m to developers Catalyst Housing.

American Peggy Seeger, known for hits including 'First time I ever saw your face', now lives in Oxford and was canvassing the cause.

She said: "The petition addresses the issue of the loss of health, fitness and exercise facilities which affects 40,000 people who live in the area.

"I have been singing for human rights and working for human rights for people all over the country and for the past few years worked with local people to save our local swimming pools at Temple Cowley."

Since then residents have been forced to use the new £9m eight-lane, 25-metre pool swimming and leisure facilities at Blackbird Leys.

Patricia Wright, who lives in East Oxford, said it was a real shame that the pool had been taken away from the residents.

The 81-year-old said: "I am not the most confident swimmer, which made the change even harder.

"I have been to the Blackbird Leys pool but there are no steps down into the pool.

"You have to make a big song and dance about getting in, rather than just getting on with it like you could at Cowley.

"I could start off in the learner pool and then when I got my confidence up go into the bigger pool."

An application for 48 homes on the former swimming pools site was approved by the city council in May last year.

Francis and Cliff Deacon, who live in Iffley, called the removal of the pools 'outrageous'.

Mrs Deacon said: "I find the new pool completely impersonal.

"It is ridiculous that people have to now go out of their way just to go swimming and keep fit.

"We would really like a replacement of the facilities we have lost in Cowley.

"It was such a fantastic facility and we want it back."

In August last year the Oxford Mail reported that work was beginning on the demolition of the pools to make way for the new development.

Artwell Chaka, who lives in Barton, was handing out the petition to passers-by.

He added: "I have been involved with this campaign for a long time.

"It is just the fact that this area is the fastest growing in East Oxford in terms of housing going up and it has to got a swimming pool.

"I feel the decision was completely wrong to sell it."

For more information visit: savetemplecowleypools.webs.com.