'Quick-fix' planned for town lido

A "quick-fix" temporary repair job has been planned in a bid to open an outdoor swimming pool in Somerset in time for the school holidays.

Shepton Mallet Lido has been closed since the start of the summer season after loose tiles were found on the floor of the pool.

Investigations revealed ground water had pushed the base of the pool upwards causing cracks and dislodged tiles.

A long-term fix is planned for when the lido closes at the end of summer.

'Difficult time'

Mendip District Council said the pool was closed after health and safety fears that swimmers might cut themselves on the tiles.

A spokesman said the council recognised it had been a difficult time for swimmers, and the contractors who had tried to isolate the cause of the problem.

"In any issue like this we have to place safety as our top priority, and in this case we had no other option but to close the pool.

"If the short-term solution can be made to get the pool open for the holidays, then we will work during the winter to repair the pool base and ensure we have an improved season next year.

"The Shepton lido is a very important community facility in Mendip, and one which we are proud of which is why we are working as hard as possible to ensure people can continue to use this popular pool," councillor Ron Forrest said.