Hendy open-air pool, opened with a splash in 2000. Dozens of youngsters took advantage of the fine weather during the weekend of the opening and cooled off in the water.

The pool, which was saved from closure after a fund-raising campaign by residents, meant the pool was open throughout the summer. Hundreds of youngsters visited in the first week to take a dip.

Pool committee members were hoping the weather remained kind over the summer months to enable swimmers to take a dip in the newly refurbished pool. During the opening week people came from across Carmarthenshire and Swansea to use the facility.

But the cash-strapped pool has been dealt a series of blows through vandalism attacks and the need of a further £50,000 which also needs to be found for an upgrade of the pool lining which is crumbling and leaking.

Its long-term future is uncertain unless the vandalism stops and the cash can be found to do more work on the lining of the pool.

However Derek Lyons said “at least this summer looks rosy for the pool”

“The opening went particularly well,” he said “despite a sharp wind the pool has been very busy, it’s unbelievable. The committee are very pleased with the attendance, especially this week with the children off school”

“When we get good weather there has been at least 50 or 60 in the pool at any one time. It was definitely worth the effort to save the pool for the community”