Amazing pictures taken inside historic swimming baths in Wirral show the mammoth task facing volunteers who are restoring the building to its former glory.
Grade II-listed Byrne Avenue baths in Rock Ferry had been allowed to fall into decay since its closure in 2009, until a team of volunteers took it over and formed the Byrne Avenue Trust.
The sports and leisure complex is fondly remembered by many Wirral residents who learnt to swim there, played football there, went to Battle of the Bands or to the rollerskating nights.
So far around £500,000 has been raised for Phase I of the project, through a variety of means including crowdfunding.
The work has involved restoring the entrance hall, sports hall and creating a community room, which it is hoped will open to the public next year.
The second phase, which will require heritage lottery funding, is restoration of its giant main pool, along with full restoration of the exterior.
The building, which dates from the 1930s, still has many of its original features, including cubicles and teak seats.
Jane Richards, the project manager working with Byrne Avenue Trust, said: "Because it's such a big building, the work is split into two phases. There's no way we would ever get the funding in one go.
"Work has already started on restoration of the entrance and the sports hall. There will also be a new community room. Once done, these sections will open to the public next year.
"The sports hall itself is being built over a second swimming pool, while Phase II is fundraising for the main pool itself."
In 2014 English Heritage confirmed it had listed Byrne Avenue Baths, also known as Byrne Avenue Recreation Centre – protecting the building from the bulldozer.
The swimming baths, built in 1931-3 by Robert W Johnston, are described by the heritage body as a "classical design with Art Deco influences."
It was listed as "an interesting example of 'Unemployment Scheme' construction, whereby the building was constructed by unemployed men engaged through the Employment Exchange and Public Assistance Committee."
