ONE thousand swimmers created a splash at the opening of the new £3.5 million Craven Swimming Pool.

Throughout Monday excited children were seen queuing out of the door with their parents waiting to claim their free swim courtesy of the Craven Herald.

Manager Peter Chapman said he had been delighted at the response and support of local people on the long-awaited opening day.

One hundred adult swimmers were first into the pool from 6.15am and all enjoyed a free breakfast after drying off. By lunchtim about 450 swimmers had enjoyed their first swim.

Extra poolside staff were drafted in to help ensure all swimmers were safe and that the pool's capacity of 100 bathers was not exceeded. The pool had to be cleared almost every hour to ensure that everyone got a turn.

Sara Robinson, who brought her son, Alex, said: "It is absolutely brilliant and what Skipton has been needing for a long time. We did not use the old pool because it was rather grotty to say the least."

Adam Witek, brought his son, Conrad, for a dip. He said: "It looks very good, much smarter than the old one. We will probably make regular visits here I am sure. I hope everyone uses it and looks after it."

Conrad said he was looking forward to coming swimming with his schoolfriends from Embsay.

Michael Honeysett and family were visiting the area on holiday from Hereford and read about the pool in the Herald. "This is a fantastic place," he said.

A replacement for the former Aireville Pool, opened in 1964, is the culmination of seven years' hard work by Craven District Council. Two lottery bids were unsuccessful before Sport England announced it would grant £2.2 million to the new leisure complex.

The centre now boasts a 25-metre pool and learner pool, £100,000 fitness suite, steam room and sauna, 50-seater caf, changing village, all with facilities for people who have disabilities.

Chairman of Craven District Council Steve Place enjoyed his first swim on Monday.

"It is a family pool full of mums, dads, grandmas, granddads and children, it is absolutely marvellous. Everyone I have spoken to going out has been absolutely delighted," he said.

The learner pool with a retractable floor features a pioneering disabled access system which claims to be the first of its kind in Europe.

The fully air-conditioned high-tech gym boasts 34 work stations. The majority of the exercise bikes, cross trainers and treadmills have individual television screens. Users can plug in their earphones and watch TV to take their mind off the pain!

Induction courses have been running for the past two weeks and already 250 members have signed up.

Councillor Marcia Turner has seen the progress of the pool through from initial idea to completion.

"It really has been a hard slog but seeing all these people here today it has been well worth it."