Lido reopens after major refurbishment

An open air swimming pool is to reopen following a £100,000 refurbishment.

A campaign also raised more than £30,000 of the funds needed to replace the filtration system and pool liner of Shaftesbury Lido, in Shaftesbury, Dorset.

The lido was shut in March so contractors could install the new, larger water filter pumps to improve the water quality of the pool and reduce the running costs.

General manager Harriet Green told the BBC: "It was a real logistical challenge to get to where we are but we'll be opening on Saturday."

The fundraiser was organised by Friends of Shaftesbury Swimming and Shaftesbury Town Council.

Ms Green said: "The people that have supported us have been incredible and we are so, so grateful.

"We cannot quite get our heads around how much support we've had and how much money people have raised for us.

"It's been overwhelming, and we couldn't have done this without them, so a huge thank you [to them]."

The lido is one of the oldest pools still operational in the country, having been used since about 1890.

A yellow warning for thunderstorms has been issued by the Met Office for large parts of England.

Ms Green said: "If there's a chance of lightning we would have to clear the pool, and then there's a certain amount of time before we can get people back in... so hopefully the thunderstorms will stay away tomorrow."

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