A SWIMMING pool has made a huge splash with the public since re-opening after refurbishment works totalling more than £1m.

The Splash swimming pool in Priory Road, Malvern, has been swamped with about 1,200 swimmers a day since it re-opened at the beginning of last week.

And every day except Monday the centre has had to turn away some bathers as the pool has hit its maximum capacity of 150 people.

Paula Caffull, sales and marketing manager at the complex, said it was the first time the centre has had to turn away swimmers because of overcrowding.

She added some 120 staff at the centre had been rushed off their feet.

"I'm completely shocked beyond belief - we have been really busy since it opened," she said.

"It's going superbly and we have had some really positive feedback.

"The only negative thing is we are getting really busy really quickly and having to turn some people away."

The complex has been closed for the past six months while refurbishment works takes place.

The gymnasium at the leisure complex has been extended over the reception area, doubling in size, and a new dance studio and showering and changing facilities have been installed.

Other improvement works include a new reception area and front entrance, sauna, steam room, creche and caf. The pool and pool changing facilities have also been redecorated and refurbished.

"The number of visitors has been excellent and the opening of this facility in time for the school summer holidays has been clearly well received," said Clive Smith, portfolio holder for community wellbeing at Malvern Hills District Council.

"It's great news for both locals and visitors to the area."

The Splash's opening times are 7am to 10pm from Monday to Sunday.

Meanwhile, hundreds of youngsters have been enjoying Worcester's only outdoor paddling pool - in Gheluvelt Park - since it opened for the summer holidays last week.

"We have had a good start but obviously this last couple of days have rained it off a bit," said Ian Yates, parks and cemeteries manager for Worcester City Council.

... and Debi's all set to be in the swim, too

A MOTHER is diving in at the deep end to raise cash for sick children but needs some expert coaching to make the necessary big splash.

Debi Wainwright wants to complete a sponsored swimathon on April, 30 2004, in memory of her son Alistair, who died aged six, from a brain tumour.

The money-spinning event will not only bolster Alistair's Appeal, the Wainwright's charity fund which has collected £25,000 for young cancer sufferers, it will also mark what would have been the schoolboy's 10th birthday.

The brave child loved swimming, which was sadly banned by medics during his treatment.

Enthusiastic Debi hopes to swim 30 lengths of the pool at Droitwich Sports and Leisure Centre, in Briar Mill. However, she desperately needs a volunteer to give her lessons to ensure she can stay safely afloat.

"I belong to a generation of children taught to swim at the age of 10 as part of the school curriculum," she explained.

"Once you could swim a length, style and grace had nothing to do with it - unless one showed enthusiasm or natural ability.

"I didn't - and now if I swim a length I start at the deep end just in case."

The mum from Charles Dickens Close, Droitwich, works full-time and does not have regular hours. Efforts to take part in a swimming course, or engage a private coach, have proved fruitless because she cannot commit to a set day and time.

Debi is hoping a reader may come forward and help teach her the right strokes.

If you can help, or would like to become a sponsor, call the Wainwright family on 01905 796275 or 07799 133360.