Wallingford's Riverside Park -- which was in danger of being closed permanently last year -- is now to have £400,000 spent on refurbishing it.

News of the funding to the popular swimming pool, paddling pool and Thames-side recreation area and campsite, was announced by South Oxfordshire District Council's cabinet, and has been welcomed by town mayor Theresa Jordan who described it as "long overdue."

The work to be done over the winter includes:

Demolishing the lavatories and an extension to the swimming pool changing area New vandal-resistant changing rooms, lavatories, reception area and shop

A disabled ramp to the pool

Better security fencing

A level access to the river bank and pleasure boats

A re-planned car park, and

Improved machinery for the pools.

About £20,000 of the total cost will be spent on installing CCTV cameras to prevent vandalism.

Ms Jordan said: "I now hope that a refurbished and good-looking riverside area will be treated with a little more respect by some youngsters in Wallingford who have used it as a target for vandalism in the past."

Members of the public will have chance to have their say about the plans for the area. Details will be posted at the Riverside and in Wallingford Town Council's offices in St Martin's Street.

The district council wants comments before the end of August.

The work is set to be completed early next year, in time for the opening of the paddling pool on the first weekend in May, 2005, and the open-air swimming pool shortly afterwards.

The scheme follows the announcement last year that the district council planned closing all the pool and other facilities at Riverside because of winter flood damage and vandalism.

A public outcry --- and a cash injection of more than £20,000 by the town council -- led to a rethink.

A special committee was formed from councillors, officers and members of the public.

Cabinet member Nigel Moor, who represents Wallingford on the district council, said: "I am thrilled that this is to go ahead. I hope the public is pleased with the plan -- any comments they have will be carefully considered."

Ms Jordan said: "This really is good news for the people of Wallingford and surrounding villages -- and for the people who camp at Riverside every year.

"It has shown that the district council has listened to the people of Wallingford -- their protest last year was loud and clear that they wanted the pools and the park to be kept open."