A PROMISING young diver from Swindon says the restoration of the Highworth Rec swimming pool would help her chances of competing at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Catherine Johnson's talent was discovered after she took part in a casual session at the Rec and she has gone on to win a bronze medal at the National Novice Diving Championships.

But when the Rec closed, a lack of suitable diving boards in the Swindon area meant she had to look further afield and leave her Highworth-based coach Irene Aldridge. Catherine, 13, of Rodbourne, now travels four times a week to train in Reading.

Campaigners have raised £1m for the refurbishment of the pool, together with a new roof, but still need another £22,500.

There is now only a week left to find the money, as a major funder will withdraw their contribution if the remainder is not found by Wednesday. Catherine believes the Rec is a vital facility.

She said: "It would make such a difference to people all over Wiltshire to have somewhere good for diving. I would definitely come back and train at Highworth.

"If the Rec had stayed open I would have stayed there because it would mean I wouldn't have to travel 90 miles four times a week.

"It would have helped my career because moving counties and changing trainer was hard.

"The coach I had was absolutely fantastic and it was hard to say goodbye."

Mrs Aldridge, chief coach at the TDC Swindon Diving Club, said: "At the novice championships in Plymouth she beat divers who were training 15 hours a week when she was only doing two hours and she was winning other regional competitions.

"She would have stayed if we could have used the Rec but she had to think of her career.

"She joined the Reading club and she's doing extremely well."

Mrs Aldridge said that Catherine is the best diver she has seen in her 15 years at the club.

She said: "Her prospects are very good. Whether she makes it to the Olympics in 2012 remains to be seen."

Phil Baker, chairman of the Highworth Recreation Committee, said: "Catherine is a super girl and it's a tragedy that an outstanding Swindon diver is having to travel to Reading four times a week to train.

"A borough of our size should have a suitable facility for our young people, especially with the 2012 Olympics coming up.

"Catherine is typical of the raw talent in our country but without the facilities they would never be discovered.

"If we hadn't had diving facilities at Highworth she would never have been discovered."

At a meeting of Highworth Town Council last week, councillors agreed to make a £20,000 contribution to the fund for the pool and £10,000 annually for the next three years.

Anyone wanting to contribute to the project can call 01793 762602.