CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a double boost in their hopes to restore and re-open the historic swimming baths in Woolton Village.

The Victorian-era baths, which were closed in October 2010, have now been given Grade II-listed status by English Heritage.

This is in recognition of their historic importance and their link with the Beatles as it was where both John Lennon and Paul McCartney swam as youngsters.

In addition John Moores University is donating around £50,000 worth of equipment to help bring the baths up to a modern standard.

It follows the decommissioning of a swimming pool at the university’s I M Marsh campus in Mossley Hill and includes a nearly new set of water filters, pumps, heaters and other pool equipment.

Campaigners are due to present their proposed business plan for the baths at a meeting with Liverpool council chiefs on Monday.

This includes making a bid to the Heritage Lottery fund to help refurbish the baths to their original specifications.

Former Brookside star Simon O’Brien, who is chairman of the Save Woolton Pool campaign, said: “We want to get the whole place back to as pristine a condition as it was when it opened.

“The listed building status and donation of equipment are a massive boost for us.”