SUN worshippers and swimmers will have to wait a little longer to splash out at the country’s only grade II* listed lido.

Saltdean Lido bosses have announced they have pushed back the opening of the venue until Saturday, June 17.

The Saltdean Lido Community Interest Company (CIC) had hoped to open the doors over the upcoming May bank holiday but have been forced to delay the opening because of essential gas works.

Director Rebecca Crook was not too perturbed by the setback saying it was a “real milestone” for the lido to be on the cusp of re-opening after a seven year battle.

Updates on opening times, admission prices and planned events for the summer will be released next week.

The opening follows more than a year of refurbishment works totalling £3million to bring heated water to the lido for the first time.

Swimmers last used the lido’s pool in 2012 but its future has been in doubt since 2010 when previous owner Dennis Audley announced plans for a £12 million housebuilding scheme.

The CIC had originally planned to reopen last summer but a poor winter and a dispute over the power supply to the venue held up progress.

Builders have been busy creating a children’s paddling pool, changing room facility and re-landscaping the lido’s grounds.

The 40 metre pool tank is in Mediterranean blue, restoring it to its original colours.

Restoration work using the 1937 plans by the architect Richard W. H. Jones has also been carried out to switch on a 80-year-old art deco fountain which hasn’t worked since the 1980s.

A new wet play area with a safe rubber crumb floor and a timer system for children to splash around with.

The next step after opening for the CIC team will be the restoration of the main building.

Until then there will be a temporary pop-up catering facility within the grounds.

Director Rebecca Crook said: “Due to essential gas works scheduled to be completed on the May 26, we felt it was too risky to proceed with a bank holiday opening so have pushed the opening back to June 17.

“This will allow all testing of the main pool and children’s pool to be completed and the new changing rooms will also be ready.

“It is a real milestone to be in a position to open the lido to the public after such a long time.

“It is looking amazing on site with the swimming pool beckoning you in for a dip and with the newly heated water, we can’t wait for local people and visitors to enjoy the pool.”