Opening Hitchin Lido throughout October would have cost £16,000, it has been revealed.

North Herts Council previously planned to keep the lido open until the end of October this year, later than usual, but then decided to close it at the end of September instead, citing "low usage" and "consistently poor weather".

Cllr Amy Allen (Lab), executive member for environment at the council, told a meeting on Thursday (October 2) that it would have cost £16,000 to keep the lido open throughout October.

The end of October closure had been planned to ensure that the lido, operated by Everyone Active, was available while decarbonisation works at Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre meant the indoor pool was closed.

But with that work delayed and the indoor pool currently still open, Cllr Allen said it would have become "counterproductive" to keep the lido open too, and the Project Board made the decision to bring forward the lido closure to the end of September.

Cllr Allen said: "We felt that it was actually quite reasonable to not extend the already extended season for the lido because the indoor pool was open."

She was responding to a question from Cllr Louise Peace (LD), who asked what process was used to push forward the lido's closure date for the year.

Cllr Peace said: "Outdoor swimming is fantastic for our mental and physical health, as we all know, and we are really fortunate that we've got two outstanding facilities here in North Herts to do that.

"It's such a shame to see them closed for large parts of the year."

The indoor pool will remain open until mid-October, while the lido will reopen next summer.

Decarbonisation works taking place at leisure facilities around North Herts include installing heat pumps and solar panels, as well as upgrading insulation. The works are set to cost around £15.89m, including £7.74m from the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre will also get a refurbished health suite and gym changing rooms.