Children were left deflated after a staff shortage meant their half-term fun was cancelled.
A notice was put up outside the Ferry Sports Centre in Summertown, Oxford, on Monday informing those who had turned up that no inflatables would be used during the family fun day because of "health and safety reasons".
The pool was three lifeguards short. City councillor Mary Clarkson, a former leisure portfolio holder and whose four children - Helen, seven, Hugh, 10, Frances, nine, and Lucy, four, use the Ferry Sports Centre, said: "It was a bitter disappointment for those who turned up.
"It is a bit galling when it's half-term and there are not enough lifeguards at a swimming pool."
Steve Holt, Oxford City Council's leisure operations manager, said: "Unfortunately the inflatable was not put in the pool due to health and safety reasons.
"It requires up to an additional three members of staff above the normal three lifeguards to operate this facility. These additional shifts could not be filled."
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