Paddling pools closed due to maintenance issues

Three paddling pools have been temporarily closed to allow checks to be carried out after issues were identified during maintenance.

The closures affect the facilities at Valley Gardens in Harrogate, Bebra Gardens in Knaresborough, and Borrage Green in Ripon.

The issues were discovered during an inspection process brought in after responsibility for the venues came under the control of North Yorkshire Council.

Engineers are due to visit the sites later this week, with the outcome informing how long the pools may need to remain shut.

The work required to update the drainage system has meant that they could not be opened in time for the recent Bank Holiday.

North Yorkshire Council hopes to have the pools repaired by the start of the school summer holidays in July, and said they are working to "resolve the situation as quickly and safely as possible."

Corporate director for environment, Karl Battersby, said: "We are taking a more thorough approach to inspecting sites like these, and as a result our engineers have identified a potential issue with the drainage system which needs further investigation.

"Our priority is the safety of the public, and as a precaution the pools will remain closed while this work is carried out."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.