A POPULAR outdoor pool has opened its doors for the summer season, just two months after serious vandalism threatened to shut it for good.

The future of the Paddocks Pool, in Long Road, Canvey, had been plunged into doubt when its previous managers abandoned their lease in March after the venue was trashed during the winter.

A petition to keep the pool and play area open gained more than 1,000 signatures in the space of 24 hours.

After a host of potential operators expressed an interest in the site, Castle Point Council announced a month ago that the lease had been taken on by Sarah and Kevin Walby, who run the Stay and Play indoor play area in Laindon.

In a race against time to be ready to open at the start of May, the couple spent about £40,000 on a new play surface, sandpit, pool pump, reception area, kitchen equipment and security improvements.

And although the weather was not ideal, the first happy families of the year arrived at the pool yesterday as the venue, now renamed Stay and Splash, opened as planned.

Mrs Walby, 42, says she is delighted the work was completed in time.

She said: “It’s been a bit of mad rush, but we managed to get it altogether and we’re really happy to be opening.

“What we’re looking to do is to make this something that the whole island can enjoy, and bring it back to its former glory.

“The community need to be involved in this, so we’ve also put some benches in and will be putting plaques there for the Danny Green Fund and the Indee Rose Trust, two Canvey charities.

“I would also like to say a massive thank you to Tamaris Electricians, Ray Allen, John Bowden and Charlie from Sky Blue Pools.”

Mrs Walby hopes that the area will be able to accommodate more than 200 guests at one time, and is also hoping to recruit 12 staff to cope with the demand.

Nina Gray, 58, of Letzen Road, Canvey, brought two of her grandchildren to the pool and says they will be visiting on a regular basis.

She said: “It’s been a big success, and I think we’ll be coming here quite often.

“It’s really handy because I can bring them after school and they love it here. When the weather warms up a bit, the place will be packed.

“They’ve put a lot into fixing the security too which is really important, so it’s all good news.”