A CAMPAIGN to bring back swimming in the lakes of Promenade Park has gathered more than 1,000 supporters.

A petition was started in May to bring back public swimming in Promenade Park, Maldon, with 350 people signing within seven days.

The Marine Lake in the park has been shut to members of the public for just under 15 years, as in August 2002, 45-year-old Kevin Gay died after he hit his head on a submerged post when diving into the lake.

Marie Ellis, Lisa Cullumbine and Gary Gray have been posting leaflets and paper petitions around the district, including Prom Park, Maldon High Street, Tollesbury and Burnham. In total, more than 1,000 names are in support of bringing back public swimming.

Lisa Cullumbine said: "We've had a huge amount of support over the past couple of weeks, even more so with the recent hot weather. It's sadder than ever that the lakes can remain so quiet on beautiful summer days.

"In the next couple of weeks we're hoping to form a committee for this group to further press the issue to the council.

"It's clear that more and more people want to see people swimming in these lakes again."

The original online petition was started on May 13 and has 574 signatures. See http://bit.ly/2qnY48R.