A giant inflatable has been brought in to keep kids amused at the Stour Centre following the closure of the flume rides for the next three months.

The floating adventure playground, called the Olympian, will be a replacement for the Raging River and flumes rides which were closed along with the leisure and learner pool after cracks were found in the tiles.

It will be inflated at weekends and during holidays in the main pool at the centre in Station Approach.

The chief executive of Ashford Leisure Trust, Emma Wood, said: “We are delighted that we are able to provide this excellent floating attraction so soon after the disappointing news about the leisure pool. It will be great fun for both children and parents.”

She said investigation work to find the cause of the cracks was underway and was pleased to annouce that work had started to isolate the learner pool. She was hopeful it would reopen for Easter.

The Olympian will be at the pool from 2pm until 4pm on Sunday, March 28. After that it will then be available on Saturdays between 11am and 1pm.

On Sundays it will be inflated from 10am until 12pm and 2pm until 4pm.

Each session will consist of two 55-minute slots which can be booked seven days in advance and are available for a maximum of 60 children over the age of three.

Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by an adult. Each session costs £3.70 for adults and £2.90 for children.

For more information call the Stour Centre on 01233 663503.