Plucky Olivia Bond wrote to Her Majesty seeking her 'royal apoolval' to save the baths.

And in a very special reply from Buckingham Palace, The Queen told little Olivia she "has taken careful note of your concern that the council are planning to close the baths" and that she has given instructions for her letter to be sent to Hazel Blears, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

Olivia, of Mellor Road, Kirkham, moved to the area from Cleveleys with mum Helen, 32, dad Paul, 36, brother Aaron, nine and sister Amelia, two, in April and regularly uses the pool.

The youngster attends Kirkham and Wesham Primary School, where Helen helps out.

Helen said: "When I told the children about the baths, she said 'Shall I right to the Queen?' I said that's a fantastic idea.

"I bought a card and on the left she did a drawing of her in a swimming pool.

"I was really shocked we got a letter back form the Queen. I wrote to three councillors and never got a reply. The Queen is doing more than our councillors."

In the Palace reply to Olivia, Sonia Bonicic, senior correspondence officer, wrote: "The Queen has asked me to thank you for your charming card of 11th October telling Her Majesty how much you enjoy swimming at your local swimming baths."

The Queen said she could not personally intervene though.

The letter concluded: "In the meantime, Her Majesty has asked me to say how much she enjoyed seeing your drawing of you in the swimming pool, and I am to send you and your family her good wishes for the future."