THE COSTS of bringing the concrete paddling pool in Simmons Park back into use are being investigated by Okehampton Town Council.

Restoring the pool, which was closed down many years ago for health and safety reasons, and creating a giant willow sculpture are two ideas being looked into to increase the amount of facilities for children and families.

Okehampton Town Council recently achieved listed status for the park, which will protect it for the future following a major restoration programme to return it to its former glory.

Considered the 'Jewel in the Crown of Okehampton' councillors are keen to make it a central attraction for locals and visitors.

Town councillors were informed at a meeting last week that parks in Crediton, Tiverton and Bideford had all had their concrete paddling pools restored by the district councils.

Mid Devon District Council had funded two for £10,000 — these costs were quite high because of the filtration system involved, the meeting was told.

Okehampton Mayor Christine Marsh said these pools had to be treated like swimming pools and special staff had been employed by Mid Devon District Council to monitor and look after the sites.

'In the case of Crediton and Tiverton somebody has been employed under a new contract to do this job, whereas here in Okehampton we may be able to use our existing park staff, hence keeping the costs down,' she said.

Cllr Marsh said she grew up playing in the Simmons Park paddling pool: 'I loved it and so did my children. I feel it is worth spending money on because we live so far from the sea and children get so much enjoyment out of it.'

l The Okehampton Rivers Group is hoping to site a serpent willow sculpture in Simmons Park, creating an imaginative area for children to play. The sculpture, which has seats inside it, was originally earmarked for the grassed patch behind Lidl's supermarket but the group now feels it will be wasted in that location.