POOL protesters are celebrating the re-opening of Port Glasgow Baths next month.

Portonians were up in arms over Inverclyde Leisure's plans to keep the facility closed until next Easter due to financial constraints - while both Gourock Pool and the one at Greenock's Waterfront Leisure opened back up immediately.

They were thrown a £51,000 lifeline by councillors who agreed to splash out to get the pool up and running again on October 5.

Jane Crawford, 55, of Rowan Court, who uses the pool every day, said: "It's excellent news.

"I'm looking forward to getting back and meeting up with all my friends - it's my social life.

"I think they thought people were just going to sit back and let it go."

Council leader Stephen McCabe's motion to spend the £51k was agreed at a meeting of the policy and resources committee on Tuesday.

Town councillor Jim MacLeod said: "It is great value for money.

"It's important that the baths re-open.

"Not everyone could afford the return bus fare to Greenock on top of the cost of a swim."