WORK to refurbish the popular paddling pool in Hamworthy Park has started.

Borough of Poole (BOP) leader Janet Walton confirmed, last month, that the £83,000 needed to complete the £381,000 project would be made available.

Cllr Walton's assurance came after the Daily Echo reported how the Friends of Hamworthy Park (FoHP) community group thought they had been hit with a bombshell, believing they had just days to raise the cash.

Bournemouth Echo:

However, Cllr Walton, who confirmed the council had allocated full funding for the project, blamed a breakdown in communication for giving FoHP the wrong impression.

Now the diggers have moved onto the site and work is well under way to refurbish the attraction.

This work, expected to take three months, includes demolition and removal of the pool's crumbling base, installation of reinforced concrete slabs, 114 reinforced concrete piles and relocation of the pool's slope to improve water quality.

BOP environment cabinet portfolio holder Cllr John Rampton said: "The council has been committed to refurbishing this pool for some years now and it has been a real roller coaster ride, but it is really gratifying to see work start.

"Last year the council identified funding, with help from funds raised by the FoHP.

"Although some external funding was subsequently not forthcoming, we dug deep to make up the shortfall because the pool is something people love.

"I am delighted the works will finish before the summer so local residents and visitors can make the most of this free facility during the hotter months and create a wealth of new memories to treasure in the future."

The pool has been suffering from a series of cracks, due to the tidal flow and flooding affecting the pool's base.

When the new pool is finished the bored reinforced concrete piles will improve ground stability, engineers say.

The FoHP raised £31,000 towards the project, with the majority of the remaining costs being met through BOP's Community Infrastructure Levy. (CIL)

It is hoped the paddling pool will be finished before the start of the summer.