THE Rebuild The Knap Lido campaign team is urging supporters to dig out their beach shorts, along with yellow and blue tops, for its next event.

Campaign leader and group founder Barrie Evans is calling on people to gather at the former Knap Lido site to form a human chain at 2pm on Sunday, September 14.

Vale residents and former visitors of the Knap Lido have pledged support for the resident-led proposal to restore the 1926 attraction which was, at 120 yards long and 20 yards wide, one of the largest open-air pools in the UK.

More than 7,870 people have now signed up to the Rebuild The Knap Lido Facebook group – where a link to a petition is also available.

The group last week held a committee meeting to discuss the way forward and said it now had people working on a business plan and contacting potential architects for proposals on possible designs, layout and cost.

Barrie, 62, of Friars Road, Barry Island, said: “What we need now is help with registering as a charity as we can't begin raising funds until we do so. If there is anyone able to help with this then please contact me. We all need to work together as a town. It's up to us to change our town and show those in power we do not have faith in them and we do not trust them to do what's best for our town.

“We hear that the weather will be favourable on September 14. We want as many people as possible to form a human chain around the site.

“Feel free to bring picnics and we will make it a family day out you won’t forget.

“We have called this the "bumsmacker" gang so ladies of the pre-Knap days and gents get your bumsmackers (beach shorts) and maybe your yellow or blue tops and join us.”

10,000 people previously signed a petition to keep the facility open, but the council closed the pool in 1996 saying it was too costly to maintain and only 1,000 people had used it that year.

Demolition of the buildings and infilling of the pool began in March 2004.

Vale MP Alun Cairns, Barry-born weather forecaster Derek Brockway have so far also backed the campaign.

The Rebuild The Knap Lido group is also planning to march from the former Knap Lido site from 4.45pm to arrive at the Civic Offices, on Holton Road, in time for the full council meeting at 6pm.