HUNDREDS of people donned their swimming costumes to mark the historic re-opening of the Saltdean Lido this morning.

Brighton Swimming Club launched the celebrations with a synchronised swimming routine.

Then crowds eagerly jostled to be among the very first ones into the pool after a count down at 10am.

The party atmosphere continued with live music, refreshment stalls and plenty of space to relax around the pool in between dips.

Around 5,000 people are expected to visit the pool over the course of the weekend.

More than 1,000 tickets were sold in advance for today’s grand opening with more visitors expected to descend this afternoon with temperatures of more than 20 degrees to continue today.

The Argus:

The pool – which can be heated up to 27 degrees and is at present 23 degrees - will be open until 7pm tonight and again from 7am tomorrow when the hot weather is expected to exceed 25 degrees. It opens again next weekend and daily from July 8 for the rest of the season.

The £3 million renovation project, which has seen a heated 40 metre pool and separate children’s paddling pool built from scratch following the original 1930s design, has been some seven years in the making.

Rebecca Crook, one of the volunteers behind the project, said it was a “brilliant feeling” to see the outdoor swimming baths finally open again and full of people.

The Argus:

Today’s opening offers a rare chance to buy specially commissioned merchandise for the occasion by renowned Portsmouth artist Dave Thompson whose designs are in the style of the golden age of travel art advertising and railway posters.  

For more information visit saltdeanlido.co.uk.

See Monday’s Argus for full coverage and pictures from the opening.