A SHORTAGE of chlorine could force some swimming and paddling pools to close, a council is warning.

Brighton and Hove City Council said supply chain difficulties and shortages are being experienced due to global production issues and the temporary closure of a factory that produces 80 per cent of the UK’s chlorine.

Freedom Leisure, which is contracted to run the city’s pools, said the national shortage could mean some pools may have to close temporarily.

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant at swimming and paddling pools across Brighton and Hove, including:

The council sayid the Prince Regent  and King Alfred will be prioritised so they can be kept open for swimming lessons and public and club swimming.

Councillor Martin Osborne, co-chairman of the tourism, equalities, communities and culture committee, said: “We understand that closing our paddling and swimming pools will have a huge impact on our residents and visitors, particularly during the summer months, but without an adequate supply of chlorine, we cannot safely operate these facilities.

“We will do everything we can to keep our pools open for as long as possible but, like many other authorities across the country, it looks likely that there may be significant closures.”

Swimmers are being urged to keep the pool water as clean as possible by showering before swimming to reduce the number of pollutants.

Details of any planned closures will be posted at the leisure centres and paddling pools, and on the Freedom Leisure and council websites.

The Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG), a UK-based independent membership organisation, told The Guardian there was a national shortage of calcium hypochlorite, a solid form of chlorine.

This has driven up prices by between 50 per cent and 60 per cent.

Pools in Bedfordshire, East Anglia and Essex have been forced to close as a result of the shortage.