BOSSES at an open air swimming pool have thanked the community for offering to help after it was flooded following high tides.

The chaos, in the wake of Storm Ciara, led to drivers becoming trapped on The Strood in Mersea and flooding in Brightlingsea.

Brightlingsea Lido said it would need “a lot of help” to reopen once the flood waters subside.

In a message on Facebook, the lido team said: “As you may be aware the lido is currently under water.

“Thank you for all the offers of support - we will need a lot of help to get it back to be able to reopen.

“Until the water subsides and we get a clearer picture of where we stand there is little we can do.

“We are all keeping our fingers crossed that there will be no further flooding.”

Gazette:

  • The flooding in Brightlingsea. Picture by Cheryl Holland

Brightlingsea Lido, in Promenade Way, opened in 1932 and is the only remaining public lido in Essex.

It was saved from closure in 2018 after Brightlingsea Town Council agreed to take on the lease from Tendring Council.

A yellow weather warning has also been issued for Essex for the weekend.

Storm Dennis will arrive in the UK on Saturday.

While it is not expected to be as extreme as Storm Ciara, it will bring widespread strong winds and heavy rain.

The lido has a JustGiving page for people to donate towards the clear up. Visit justgiving.com and search Brightlingsea Lido.