A POOL which has long been second best in the popularity stakes is being pitched as the perfect fill-in for a leisure centre which is set for summer closure.

Abbey Meadow Outdoor Pool in Abingdon could host a a sea of splashing swimmers this season after a council announced its other pool in the town would shut for renovation.

Vale of White Horse District Council revealed both pools at White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre would close from July 4 for "essential maintenance" costing £415,623.

Peter Harbour, chairman of Friends of Abbey Meadow Pool which protects the pool, said: "It's best to think of this as an opportunity for us: lots of people will be coming down who have never even thought of swimming there."

Earlier this month the council announced £615,000 to revamp Abbey Meadow, pledging to transform the pool building, toilets and changing rooms but not the pool itself.

It has now transferred all of the leisure centre's swimming lessons to Abbey Meadow during the 10-week closure.

Mr Harbour said the outdoor pool was in need of new lining and a better boiler to heat it properly, but was excited to welcome White Horse swimmers to it.

He said: "We are hoping that the Friends can work together with the council to make it a success and use this year to build up publicity.

"We also want to look at what it would take for people to swim there normally.

"It would be marvellous if we could change the council's mind about refurbishing the pool."

Commenters on the Abingdon Herald website criticised the council for planning the refurbishment, tile replacement and new grouting at the leisure centre during the summer holidays.

Both the main pool and training pool at the centre, which is also due to get a £1.7m refurbishment and gym extension from the council, will be closed until mid September.

Margaret Cox, who lives with her husband in Austin Place, has been teaching swimming in Abingdon for more than 30 years.

The 73-year-old said: "The people who have fought to keep Abbey Meadow pool open have done a good job – a lot of people like it – but in my estimation it's not a good time to shut the White Horse pool - it seems a little strange.

"The outdoor pool is very cold – I taught there years ago and I wouldn't say it was a particularly good idea.

"I remember going there as a child for lessons but it was never very enjoyable."

Mrs Cox said in her experience children learnt better in warmer, indoor pools, and added: "I know it will be in July but we are never going to get a hot swell every day."

White Horse pool gets an annual average of 324,000 visitors who can use the Vale's other pools at no extra cost during the closure.