After almost three weeks, a leisure centre swimming pool remains shut.

The Swallows Leisure Centre in Central Avenue, Sittingbourne, was shut on August 1 after a small number of diarrhoea cases in the area, and is still closed.

The precautionary measure has meant the swimming facilities have needed to undergo water testing to ensure no risk to the public.

Dave Harcourt, executive officer for Swale Community Leisure which runs The Swallows, said:

“We regret to advise that the final pool water test results have been delayed so Swallows Leisure Centre swimming pools continue to remain closed.

"The water tests are purely precautionary as there have been no cases directly associated with the centre, however, our customers’ health and safety is paramount so we cannot reopen until we have reassurance that all of our pools are safe.

"We expect to have the final test results on Wednesday (August 23) and all other test results have come back clear.

"We will be contacting members individually about the appropriate compensation for the period of closure.”