PREPARATIONS are well underway for the opening of Teignmouth Lido for the summer.

Despite Teignbridge Council looking to keep the pool closed this year to save cash, leading councillors agreed to a U-turn for this year while efforts are made for volunteers to take it over.

Now Teignbridge leisure staff say the water its looking ‘much cleaner’.

The pool hoover is ‘working overtime’ to remove debris from the bottom of the pool.

A spokesman for Teignbridge Leisure said: ‘The pool is also being treated with chlorine in preparation for the pumps to be switched on next week.’

All the volunteers involved have been thanked for their efforts to get the Lido ready for opening.

Recruitment of lifeguards is well underway.

No opening date has been confirmed yet.

Meanwhile the Save The Lido group which is bidding to take over the pool has now achieved charity status.

Trustees have developed some merchandise available to buy to support funding efforts to acquire the Lido.

Trustee Daniel O’Connell said: ‘We have had a trustee successfully travel 100s miles to retrain as a lifeguard and also as a lifeguard trainer, ready for when we hope to get the green light to train as many as possible.

‘Teignbridge Council is working hard on getting ready to operate as normal this season we thank them for that.

‘Regular meetings are being held to facilitate our hopes of successfully bidding to acquire the lido for the community and to present the best possible business plan.

‘A reminder that all the trustees are volunteers we aim to achieve our goals and keep the lido open for the benefit of everyone for years to come.’