REPAIR work on the main pool at the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre in Abingdon is expected to start soon — but it might not be ready for use again until the new year.

As a result, the Vale of White Horse District Council’s two leisure centres in Wantage and Faringdon are offering free swimming to White Horse members and half-price swimming to Abingdon residents.

The main pool at Abingdon was closed earlier this month after an underground section of plastic pipe fractured.

All other parts of the centre remain open, including the teaching pool, and customers are being encouraged to replace their regular swim with another form of exercise.

Centre manager David Johns said: “Our pool may be closed, but many of our customers are choosing to play a new sport, take a class, or work out in the gym — things that they may not have even done before.”

Mr Johns said pool maintenance specialists had now identified the problem and were deciding the best way to fully remedy it.

But he sai d it could take weeks, rather than days, to put right.

Vale strategic director Matt Prosser added: “Everything possible is being done to find a solution for this unusual occurrence and we will keep our residents informed of progress.

“In the meantime I hope residents will take up the generous offer of free or cut-price swimming in Wantage and Faringdon, or try something new at the leisure and tennis centre.”

Further updates are available at activenation.org.uk