ROPLEY Primary School children were in celebratory mood on Friday at the re-opening of their swimming pool following a £30,000 refit.

The occasion marked a successful end to months of fundraising to make good the defects, after an inspection last September showed up the need to replace the lining of the pool and to improve poolside facilities. Without the remedial work the pool, originally built in 1973 by parents and grandparents of pupils at the time, would now be obsolete.

Having provided hours of fun and activity for countless children over the years, the decision was taken to save the swimming pool and on Friday pupils, parents, staff and supporters turned up to celebrate their great achievement.