AN OUTDOOR swimming pool opened for the summer season with a splash.
Youngsters and local dignitaries dived in to help launch the swimming season at Brightlingsea's open-air pool on Saturday.
The free openday attracted hundreds of swimmers, including Scouts and Beavers, who learned to kayak in the pool. They were joined by North Essex MP, Bernard Jenkin, Tendring Council leader, David Lines, and Brightlingsea's new mayor, Graham Steady, who went for a dip in his mayoral chains of office.
The pool, built in 1933, is one of Tendring's biggest and is one of the few remaining outdoor facilities in Essex.
It was saved from closure after the district council gave the town council £50,000 to keep it running until 2009.
Councillors have warned residents need to use it or risk losing it.
Councillor Alan Goggin was in a wetsuit on the day to show how the open-air pool can be used in all weathers.
The pool is open from 10am to 7pm every weekend and from 2pm to 7pm on weekdays until July 23.
Then it opens from 10am to 7pm every day during the summer holidays.
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