A POPULAR town centre paddling pool is set to re-opening after specialist repair works have been completed.

Harlow Council has announced works to the Town Park Paddling Pool were completed. The contractor says the council needs to wait for the sealant to fully dry before filling the pool and reopening it.

The pool is now going through the full recommissioning process and is set to open very soon.

The specific site of the repair works will remain fenced-off until the sealant is dry and overnight security is in place to ensure nothing is disturbed. Visits are being made every day to check the sealant.

Joel Charles, deputy leader of Harlow Council, said: "I know that families are eager to enjoy the paddling pool once again, but it cannot reopen until the sealant is fully dry. This is in accordance with the contractor’s advice and it takes between five and seven days for the sealant to cure and opening sooner would run the risk of leaving us back at square one. If we reopen the pool too soon, the situation could be worse with an extended closure in force and a higher repair bill.

“I know that the delays to reopening the pool has caused frustration and disappointment for families. Although this will not make up for the fun families have lost out on while the pool has been closed, I have decided that the Town Park Paddling Pool will stay open this summer for a further two weeks, including weekends. The paddling pool will now close on the 14th of September rather than on the 31st of August.”