Hundreds of water babies dragged their parents to the Stour Centre to swim in the reopened leisure pool.

For the first time in four months children and adults were able to ride the flumes and enjoy the Raging River wave machine at the centre in Tannery Lane, Ashford on Saturday, July 31.

The pool, which is managed by Ashford Leisure Trust on behalf of Ashford Borough Council, was closed in March after cracks were found in the tiling.

After investigation and repair work, new tiles were laid and the pool was refilled ready for use at the weekend.

The trust’s chief executive Emma Wood said: “It was fantastic. We had 764 people come through the doors to use the pools on the day.

“It was good to see the number of swimmers back up to normal and hopefully that will continue for the rest of the holidays.”

The council’s portfolio holder for cultural services Cllr Bernard Heyes was there to mark the reopening with trust chairman Mick Hubert.

He said: “Obviously we’re delighted. It’s been closed through circumstances beyond our control but the council and Ashford Leisure Trust have worked really hard to reopen it. We want to attract as many swimmers back to the pool as possible.”

The pool is open from 10am until 6pm on weekdays and 9am until 4pm at the weekend. For more information call 01233 663503.

For a free swim voucher at the Stour Centre, see the Fun Club page in the Kentish Express, on sale Thursday