AN OKEHAMPTON child minder has started an online petition to increase the pool temperature at Parklands Leisure Centre after she had concerns during swimming sessions for toddlers and families.

Debbie Miller started the petition following several visits to the pool where she found the water to be too cold: 'I am a registered childminder and use the pool regularly. I am considering having to go elsewhere as the pool is consistently too cold for the children.

'The incident that really highlighted it for me was when I recently took a two and a half year old boy to the pool, and within ten minutes of us starting our swim, he was really shivering, and his lips were completely blue. We had to get out of the pool, and when you've paid for an adult and two children for a swim session it's a lot of money to lose.

'I personally believe it's a money-saving tactic on their part, but the money they save by not fully heating the pool will be lost in trade. I've spoken to lots of friends who are driving over ten miles to go to different pools, in Exeter and Tavistock.

'I have on numerous occasions brought this up with Parklands and their only reply is that the temperature is within regulations.'

The petition received 60 signatures within the first 48 hours, with a range of comments left on the site, sharing Debbie's concerns.

Debbie said: 'With the high number of comments we've had in such a short space of time, we won't leave the petition open for long. Once it's closed we may well take the comments to West Devon Borough Council as well.'

The leisure centre has put the problems with water temperature down to a technical malfunction. In a statement, Parklands said: 'Parklands Leisure Centre would like to apologise to any swimmers who have experienced the pool being cooler than usual last month.

'There was a technical issue in our pool operating room, which resulted in the pool temperature dropping slightly. This issue has been resolved and our pool is now operating within the industry guidelines.'

On Monday Debbie took the list of signatures to the pool, and Parklands agreed to raise the pool temperature to a constant 29.5 degrees. She said: 'They have said it will take a little time for this to regulate, and I have asked for feedback from people using the pool, so we will have to see.'