THE real story of what happened to Leominster's former Sydonia Pool - it was cursed by Natty Nitch the Witch - has gone on sale to raise funds for the town's planned new swimming pool.

Local author Karen Harris, who has penned a number of other children's stories, first produced the tale in loose leaf form and appealed in the Hereford Times last year for help from a publisher or printer.

Leominster's Orphans Press answered her plea. The firm gave its services free to produce the tale of The Sealed Swimming Pool in booklet form.

The book, illustrated with drawings by Orphans Press workers Ollie and Emlyn Miles, has gone on sale in Leominster at £2.50 with all proceeds going to the town's WWOP swimming pool fund.

The book is available at Fletcher's newsagents, the Tourist Information Centre and other outlets.