Paddling pool now closed for winter

When John Royston, of Shelley Road, Worthing, took his visiting four-year-old granddaughter, Gracie, to play in the paddling pool next to the Aquarena, he was greeted by a sign saying: "Closed for the winter."

This came as some surprise "it was the first weekend in September after all.

Mr Royston said: "Do the authorities know something we and lots of other disappointed families don't?

"Has the year shot forward three months without us noticing? The day was lovely and sunny and lots of children, some of whom had not returned to school yet following their summer break, were on the beach, in the parks and out with mums, dads and grandparents looking for the kind of fun a splash in a paddling pool had to offer."

Duncan Anderson, general facilities manager at the council, said: "At the end of the summer holidays we close the pool.

"You do get the occasional sunny day in September but you cannot judge what the weather's going to be like."

Mr Royston added: "Come on Worthing council, you're trying to promote the town as a seaside attraction: don't shut the gate on a potential family visitor or those who live here. By the way, the winter starts in December!"