A much-loved paddling pool in Moray has been saved for future generations after campaigners funded a huge renovation project.
The cherished bright blue basin in Portknockie has been cherished by local families for decades.
However, fears were raised last year that the days of youngsters splashing in the seawater could be numbered due to a leaking valve and other wear and tear – which required a £28,000 repair job to put right.
An exhaustive series of fundraisers in the area and donations from local companies has helped cover the bill and now campaigners hope the pool’s best days could yet be ahead of it – with future plans to create a barbecue area with picnic tables.
Donna Coull, who organised the fundraising events with friend Lilian Urquhart, said: “We’ve been blown away by the support, it’s been amazing. Not just Portknockie either, from all along the coast.
“We took it on about 15 years ago because it was effectively going to get filled in because the council wasn’t going to look after it anymore – we said no.
“It’s about 60 years old now and apart from bits and bobs there had been almost no work done on it. It’s got a valve that open and closes with the tide but that had pretty much rusted away to nothing.”
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Mrs Coull’s daughter Kirsty Farquhar and her husband Steven take care of the majority of the maintenance by clearing away much and giving it regular washes.
However, they are bolstered by a team of helpers, one of whom is aged 83.
And with the paddling pool’s future assured now, Mrs Coull is hopeful the harbour landmark will remain as popular as ever.
She said: “It’s been an amazing summer for the pool so far. The first really beautiful day we had three weeks ago it was absolutely packed.
“I’ve been here for about 50 years and I have never seen a crowd like it. There were people out there all day enjoying the sun with their families, it was great to see.”
