Stourbridge swimming pool to reopen tomorrow after accidentally being drained

Dudley Council closed the leisure pool at Crystal Leisure Centre, in Stourbridge, after it was emptied at the start of the half-term holidays when a filter was reportedly left out.

But from Saturday swimmers can return to the water, though they have been warned it may be a little cooler than usual. The rapids also remain out of action.

Councillor Simon Phipps, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: "The pool might feel slightly cooler than normal but it will be within the recommended temperature range.

"Thanks to everyone for bearing with us and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

"The centre will offer free swimming for registered children until Sunday and to make up for the loss of sessions for a large part of this week, it will be offering an extra weekend of free swimming on November 6 and 7."

Any youngster aged 16 and under who lives in Dudley borough is eligible to take advantage of the offer by registering online at freeswimindudley.co.uk.

Earlier this week Councillor Phipps said he knew families "will have been disappointed" by the pool's closure over half-term, and hoped families would take up the offer so children don't miss out on their free swimming.

The recently renovated leisure and 25-metre swimming pools had only been reopened to the public in August, after the wave machine was refurbished and the changing rooms were demolished and remodelled.