Fun in sun as Walsall lido opens - but warm weather not set to last

The West Midlands was bathed in glorious sunshine yesterday and the warm weather was expected to continue today.

Meanwhile hundreds of children made a splash at the new-look £250,000 Walsall lido as it opened for the first time during spectacular sunshine.

Sun-drenched thrillseekers descended on the Arboretum to enjoy the launch of the heavily-anticipated attraction on Saturday.

The wet-play zone includes a number of sprinklers and splash areas and replaces the original lido, which dates back 60 years.

Simon and Karen Bainbridge, who live in the town, brought their daughters Lilia, seven, and Amelie, five, to the lido for the launch.

Mr Bainbridge said: "Now it is open it is absolutely brilliant. We have been waiting a long time for the works to be completed but they have done a brilliant job. It is fantastic for the young ones. They have been splashing about for over an hour. It is much better than the old one. I remember coming here when I was young and it was two pools and a platform in the middle and I used to swim around them. But it was nothing like this. It is cleaner and more fun.

"There has also been no problems whatsoever. The kids all absolutely love it."

The new splash pad and water play feature will be open at Walsall Arboretum from 11am until 5pm during half-term up until June 2.

The feature will open at weekends only between June 8 and July 21. The lido has been used by families since 1953.