SANTA landed his sleigh early in Tenbury this Christmas.

The group working to secure the future of the swimming pool and leisure centre in the town received a double gift wrapped boost for the Festive season.

Orchard Valley Foods, now one of the biggest employers in the area, has confirmed that it is to continue its sponsorship of the pool.

But that was not all because the Rose and Crown in Burford has also joined the party and added a touch of festive tinsel by backing the facility with the use of a marque for a New Year’s Day fund raising treasure hunt.

All this means there is a great reason for celebrating and people from the Tenbury and the surrounding area are invited to join the festivities with a ramble into the town and countryside.

But this will not just be a chance to work off some of those excessive Christmas calories but will also provide an opportunity for people to test their powers as detectives.

“They say start the year as you mean to go on so what could be better than blowing away the cobwebs with a walk in the great outdoors enjoying some family fun time on New Year’s day,” said Jane Jenner, one of the directors of Tenbury Swimming Pool.

Tenbury Community Pool is calling all budding detectives to follow a treasure trail to solve a mystery!

The trail is suitable for pushchairs and wheel chairs and starts at The Rose and Crown from 11.30.

It will include a two-hour walk around the town starting and finishing at The Rose and Crown. On the return there will be warming soup as well as the chance to buy a celebratory drink.

Sarah and Chris White from the Rose and Crown have offered the use of the marquee in which a dinner dance is taking place on New Year’s Eve.

The Ludlow Hunt will add some colour as they will be meeting at the pub on New Year’s Day at 10 am and will move off just before the start of the treasure hunt to add to the atmosphere.

“Orchard Valley Foods on the nearby business part in Burford has agreed to continue their sponsorship of the pool and have made another generous donation,” added Jane Jenner.

The company makes and distributes ingredients for the baking industry and exports its products all over the world as well as supplying home bakers and the trade throughout the UK.

Freedom Leisure, who run the pool on a day –to-day basis, has made some short term improvements to the changing rooms but they need complete renovation.

Tenbury Community Pool is working in conjunction with Freedom Leisure and Tenbury Town Council to achieve this.

Funds raised are needed to pay for repairs to plant and machinery and the building that cost in excess of £10,000, the insurance of the buildings and major projects such as the renovation of the changing rooms.

The swimming pool receives an annual grant from Malvern Hills District Council but is owned on behalf of the people of the town.

Built in the 1960s an immediate target has been set to raise a ‘war chest’ of £60,000 to ensure that it can continue.

Tickets for the Treasure Hunt cost £5 per adult - kids join the fun for free! Money raised will go towards the improvement fund for the pool. Tickets are available from Harlequin gift shop.