EASTROP paddling pool and other free water facilities in Basingstoke will not re-open until the school summer holidays.

As previously reported, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council said it was working to re-open the facilities in early July.

However, it has now said the paddling pool, splash pad in Chineham Park, Popley, and fountains by Festival Place will remain closed until at least Monday, July 19.

A statement on the council website said: “These informal facilities are not supervised and due to their design there is no way to control the number of users and no system in place to log those people using it.

“The safety of our residents is always the council’s first priority and we are continuing to monitor the government’s roadmap announcements to ensure that the facilities are used in accordance with their advice.”

The council’s play parks are, however, open across the borough.

The water facilities have been closed since March last year. The government’s roadmap out of lockdown enabled outdoor pools and water play to reopen on March 29.