THE wait is almost over and Ledbury people now have a firm date for the re-opening of Ledbury Swimming Pool.

It has been almost a year since the £2.3m revamp started at the Lawnside Road complex; but the doors will open again to the public on May 10 and swimming lessons will re-start on Monday, May 15.

A spokesman for Halo Leisure , the company which runs the leisure services there for Herefordshire Council said: "The wait is over; they new and improved Ledbury Swimming Pool awaits the public.

"The £2.3m refurbishment is almost complete and on Wednesday May 10 the centre will open its doors to a summer of health and fitness.

"The brand new gym, exercise studio, changing facilities, sauna and steam room and refurbished pool hall and spectator are looking fabulous."

The new gym area is "considerably bigger" than the original fitness suite.

Centre manager, Mark Johns said: “We’re so grateful to those members who’ve stood by us while we’ve been doing this work. We are more than confident they’ll consider the wait worthwhile when they step back inside on May 10.”

The full cost of the refurbishments has actually been £2.63m.

But the extra spending is down to a windfall from Sport England, to help modernise the changing rooms.

The new "village style changing rooms" have been designed to offer more flexibility for families and school groups, "as well as being more accommodating for disability swimmers and centre users".

On May 10, the doors will open at 7am.