A swimming pool which had to be closed following a chemical spill after storm damage left a hole in the building's roof is due to reopen.

The pool in Hythe will open again as normal from 7am tomorrow.

Swimmers had to be evacuated after a chemical spill at the South Road centre on Saturday morning.

Firefighters arrived at 9.48am following reports of a “minor” chlorine leak in the room where the chlorine holding tank is housed.

Cllr David Monk, leader of Shepway District Council, which runs the pool, said the leak was contained within the room.

The council announced this afternoon the pool would be open in the morning after work to the roof was completed, safety checks were carried out and the water was chlorinated again.

Roof repairs following damage caused by Storm Katie on Easter Monday forced the main pool to be closed while work was carried out.

A cherry picker was at the site carrying out the repairs throughout the afternoon to ensure repairs were carried out as quickly as possible.

Cllr Monk said: “The [chlorine] tank was emptied by a specialist firm who took the chemical away for safe disposal.

“The pool will reopen once the equipment has been checked and we can safely chlorinate the water.”