TWO of the district’s swimming pools are set to be awarded a share of a £1m cash injection.

Prudhoe Waterworld, and the pool at Hexham’s Wentworth Leisure Centre, will both benefit from a county-wide investment programme.

Over the coming weeks, maintenance work will take place at the operating plants within each centre, which are essential for controlling pool operation and performance.

The scheme will replace filters, pumps and filtration systems at both Prudhoe and Wentworth, while new UV systems will be installed to keep bacteria in place.

Northumberland County Council has pledged funding for the initiative, which will also include improvement work to pools in Rothbury, Alnwick, Blyth, and Cramlington.

Rothbury Swimming Pool will be the first to have improvements carried out, and will be closed temporarily for one week, while the work takes place.

The council said temporary closures of the other pools will be announced in due course. Pre-booked swimming lessons are set to be moved to alternative centres, where possible, or rearranged.

Mark Tweedie, chief executive of Active Northumberland, the charitable trust which delivers the county’s leisure services, said: “It’s really important to keep our facilities in good repair so we are investing to make much needed repairs and upgrades.

“Unfortunately the work required cannot be safely carried out while the pools are open, so we have chosen to schedule the work at the quietest time of the year for our pools to minimise disruption.

“We’d like to thank our swimmers for bearing with us and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

County councillor for Hexham East, Coun. Cath Homer, a cabinet member with responsibility for leisure, said: “Our swimming pools are very costly to run with a big mechanical operation taking place behind the scenes to keep the water warm and clean.

“The work that is being carried out will ultimately make the pools far more energy and cost efficient to operate.”

The announcement comes just weeks after the county council pledged £700,000 to improve the gym and reception area at Wentworth.