UP to 4,000 people will celebrate the re-opening of the only Grade II* listed lido in the country.

Saltdean Lido will open its doors tomorrow after a five-year closure, with swimmers set to make a splash in the renovated 40 metre pool.

Half the four two-hour sessions have already sold out and people are being urged to book ahead to avoid missing out on the big launch.

The next challenge for Saltdean Lido CIC will be the £8 million renovation of the lido building which could begin next year if the Heritage Lottery Fund awards funding.

Volunteers have been working round the clock to ensure the site is in top condition for the big day with extensive work carried out on landscaping grounds around the pool.

A wall of fame featuring bricks with messages to loved ones is also one of the last pieces of work to be completed. The lido has capacity for 4,000 visitors over the first weekend with more than 3,300 tickets sold, including more than 1,000 snapped up on the first day of sales, while more than 100 season tickets have been sold.

After its opening, the lido will open for the next three weekends before going daily between 7am and 7pm from July 9 until September.

Standard prices are £7.50 per session, £5 tickets for low income, disabled, carers, the over 65s and juniors, as well as special family, all-day and season tickets.

The historic site will be officially opened at just before 10am tomorrow with a synchronised swimming performance while there will also be bands playing throughout the day and a series of pop-up food stalls.

CIC director Rebecca Crook said: “It is quite emotional and a bit surreal, we had this dream about how we could save the lido and it has all come to fruition.

“It is only part of it, we have still got the main building to do, but it is a major achievement we got this far in quite challenging conditions and this economic climate.

“I think the biggest challenge was the time commitment for anyone who has been involved in a project like this.

“It’s really hard to do this, which is like a full-time job, as well as our day jobs and other commitments.

“The pool is the hero but it is amazing to see a kids’ pool back at the lido, it’s not been there since the 1960s. So to have that we are really pleased and that came from money from the People’s Millions which was voted for by the people.

“The proof will be in the pudding with how many people come throughout the summer. But to have more than 100 season tickets sold already is really encouraging and reassuring considering they haven’t even seen the facilities yet.

“Hopefully people will come in this weekend, will love it and want to keep coming back.”

Visit saltdeanlido.co.uk/tickets for details.