A CAMPAIGN to restore one of Barry’s iconic leisure facilities has fuelled some famous memories as support grows to more than 7740.

2008 Olympic open-water 10km silver-medallist, Barry-born swimmer David Davies and BBC weatherman, Derek Brockway, also of Barry, have recalled times spent at the Knap Lido as the campaign to have it rebuilt, for future generations to use, swells.

Weatherman Walking Derek, said he had fond memories of times spent at Knap Lido in the 1970s while 2006 Commonwealth Games 1,500 freestyle gold medallist David, 29, said: ““I used to go there a lot in the summer holidays with my family. It was a great day out. The water was always freezing but I really enjoyed it on a sunny day. It’s sad that it can’t be maintained but hopefully the area will be replaced by something where families can spend time because it’s a really nice part of town.”

Rebuild The Knap Lido committee member Dean Snooks said: “We Barrians over the past 30 years have watched our beloved town erode and be demolished before our eyes. Growing up here in the 70's and 80's, Barry was a fantastic place with visitors coming from UK wide to holiday here. Since then we have seen most of the industry at the Docks move elsewhere because of the costs, Hyper Value driven out for the same reason, Butlins closing, the theme park crumbling around us, Barry Zoo disappear and the jewel in our crown the Knap Lido filled in to be replaced by a patch of grass.”

Fellow committee member, Mike Heffernan – who is also the chairman of the Barry Island Historical Society – said: “The support has been quite remarkable with over 7600 people on Facebook. They all can’t be wrong. I hope the council will listen and find the money to start this project off.”

The committee is current putting together a business plan and would welcome ideas on funding sources and facilities that could be utilised within the Lido.

To support on Facebook, like the Rebuild The Knap Lido group and on Twitter SaveKnapLido

To sign the petition, visit http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/the-vale-of-glamorgan-council-we-are-the-rebuild-the-knap-lido-group-and-we-want-you-at-the-vale-council-to-rebuild-the-knap-lido-fortwith

The Rebuild The Knap Lido committee is planning to hold a protest march to the Civic Offices in September and is encouraging residents to prepare by getting ready with blue inflatable items in celebration of the blue dolphin which was a feature of the site.