The campaign to save North London’s only diving facilities has received some “absolutely fabulous” support.

Barnet Council is spending £35 million to shut down and replace Copthall leisure centre in Mill Hill with two new and improved centres, though initial plans for neither centre include diving facilities.

Parents whose children take diving classes at the current centre have started a campaign to save diving in the area, which now has the support of actress and activist Joanna Lumley.

Ms Lumley, famous for her portrayal of fashionista Patsy Stone in sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, is a prolific campaigner, having supported the rights of indigenous people, environmentalism and vegetarianism among many other causes.

She has now lent her voice to the Save Barnet Diving campaign, which already had the support of over 9,000 people who signed a petition sent to Barnet Council last week.

The former Bond Girl said: “It is hard to think of any good reason why this most important facility should be in danger of closure.

READ MORE: Save Barnet Diving campaigners submit 9,000-signature petition to Barnet Council to save Copthall diving classes

“How can we keep our young people fit and competitive and skilled if we shut down the very place they can practice until they become perfect?

“Pressure is growing everywhere to bow to big business, but such vital facilities are to be treasured and maintained for present and future generations.

“Once gone, the diving facility will be hard to replace, and I urge everyone to back this campaign to keep our divers diving.”

A key concern for parents involved in the campaign is the distance to the next-closest diving facilities, over 20 miles away from the original Copthall site in central London or Hertfordshire.

Campaign leader and mother Wendy Kravetz welcomed Ms Lumley’s support as the decisive debate over the decision quickly approaches.

She said: “We think it is absolutely fabulous the queen of campaigning is stepping in to help Save Barnet Diving.

“We urge as she has you get behind the campaign to save the only deep water pool between Stratford and Luton.”

At a meeting in early September, leader of the council Cllr Richard Cornelius pledged to make “earnest efforts” to maintain diving facilities in Barnet.

However, he stressed the urgent need to improve leisure facilities and pushed for a decision to be made soon.

As a result the council will debate the issue in full next Tuesday (November 13) at Hendon town hall, the Burroughs, at 7pm.

Campaigners from Save Barnet Diving are expected to attend and make representations before the issue is voted on and ultimately decided.