THE HERITAGE of Tunstall baths will get a unique marker when a historian laps the building's age.

Architectural historian Dr Ian Dungavell, director of the Victorian Society, is attempting to visit each of England's listed Victorian and Edwardian public pools and swim a lap for every year the buildings have been standing.

The Staffordshire leg of the challenge will see him swim 119 lengths at Tunstall Pool, in Greengates Street.

Opened in 1889, Tunstall Pool is the oldest pool Dr Dungavell will visit, and where he will have to swim the greatest number of lengths in one session.

Dr Dungavell said: 'I'm delighted to be visiting Tunstall Pool. A significant example of Victorian municipal architecture, the building retains many of its original features

"It is a shining example of the role that historic pools can play in the twenty-first century.

"Stoke-on-Trent City Council should be congratulated for keeping Tunstall Pool in use."

From Tunstall, Dr Dungavell heads to the last four pools on his list, finishing with 116 laps at Dulwich Leisure Centre in London.

In his bid to highlight the importance of historic swimming pools he will swim a total of 1,543 laps at 14 pools covering a distance more than equivalent to crossing the English Channel.