A PADDLING pool party is planned for Saturday, May 7, to celebrate the opening of the newly refurbished town centre facility.

Northwich Town Council has invested £100,000 to improve the pool, at the junction of Chesterway and Peter Street, which it said will be safer and be open for longer as a result.

Improvements include a non-slip rubber surface around the pool, a new surface in the pool itself, a giant toadstool fountain, laurel hedging and new benches.

The most expensive improvement is a filtration and recirculation system, including a new pump room.

Chris Shaw, town council clerk, said: "Because it's so heavily used in the summer months and there are so many people in it, it had to be emptied every day for hygiene reasons to keep it up to a safe standard.

"The water would have sand in it and all sorts because children run out of the pool and into the play area with bare feet.

"Now the system will recirculate all of the water in the pool within 45 minutes, it will be fully chlorinated and it will top up the pool automatically – it will be at swimming pool standard.

"It basically means that the pool can be open for longer – from 10am to 6pm or 7pm, weather permitting – and we can open at short notice."

Cllr Andrew Cooper said the council had been keen to invest in the paddling pool.

"It's a really well loved and well used facility in the heart of Northwich," he said.

"People have been coming here and bringing their children here for decades.

"Councils across the country have been closing facilities like this – with really challenging financial circumstances it's difficult to keep them open – but we took a different view.

"A facility like this is a real asset to the town.

"People love it and we wanted to give it the investment it really deserves."

Chris, who grew up in Northwich and used the pool himself as a child, said: "In times of austerity this facility is ideal – a family can come down here at the weekend, bring a picnic and spend all day here free of charge."

The party, including a barbecue and music, starts at noon on May 7.

The first 100 people through the gate will receive a free burger or hot dog and a drink."