One of London's most popular lidos could be forced to close, according to its leaseholders.

Managers at Brockwell Lido have said that due to a terrible start to the season and a lack of sponsorship they are facing massive financial problems.

Opening hours have been cut at the outdoor pool in south London and all but two staff laid off.

As few as six swimmers a day have been using the 60-year-old facility in recent months.

Losing money

Lambeth Council owns the lido and invested over �100,000 in it last year.

That was matched in sponsorship by the water company Evian to enhance the appearance and marketing of the lido.

But this year Evian gave only �10,000.

The Lido's managers have said they are desperate for funding as the pool is losing �2,500 a day.

Roz Tabor, a lido user, told BBC London if Brockwell closed there would be few outdoor pools left.

She said: "It's terrible. We used to swim in Peckham Rye at an open-air pool and that was closed.

"We used to swim in Southwark Pool - that one's been closed.

"So if this one goes it will be really bad."

The council is currently looking at ways to make the lido part of an all-year facility.

It says another company is waiting to run the open air pool if the closure takes place.

In 1990 the council decided to close the pool, but it reopened four years later following community pressure.