SWIMMING pools in Herefordshire will reopen next week, Halo Leisure has confirmed.

The company said lane swimming will restart on Monday, September 7 and it's the announcement customers have been waiting for.

Bookings will open later this week, Halo Leisure said.

Last week, chief executive Scott Rolfe said the reality of operating with significantly reduced capacity, to support social distancing, which results in a considerable reduction in income, means it was not economically possible for them to reopen as planned.

But in an apparent U-turn, swimming pools in Ledbury, Leominster and Ross-on-Wye will reopen next week.

The facilities closed in March as the coronavirus pandemic hit the UK, with indoor pools in England able to reopen from July 25. Mr Rolfe said Halo had not done so due to the financial impact.

Hereford Leisure Pool will remain closed for the foreseeable future due to damage caused by flooding in February.