School’s out for the summer – but the pool is in.

The arrival of hot weather has supporters of the Petersfield Open Air Swimming Pool breathing a little easier after weeks of dull and disappointingly grey weather.

The timing couldn’t be better as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of Petersfield has been packed with children enjoying the start of their summer holidays.

The pool’s income is largely weather dependent so the team have introduced a variety of initiatives to bring people through the gates when the mercury isn’t rising.

They range from yoga by the pool to evening aqua fit while their fortnightly twilight swim and supper events on Wednesdays have been a success.

Upcoming events include a midnight and full moon swim this Saturday and next Monday, respectively, and a naturist swim next Friday, August 16, with the programme viewable on the pool’s website and Facebook page.

“We’re just trying to attract more people and have spent a lot of money on virtual advertising,” said pool trustee, Shiela Spence.

“The weather hasn’t been great so far but if we have a good summer it will be OK. 

“The weather during the summer holidays is make or break for us but even if it’s not good we’ve got savings and we’ll be fine. We’ll still be here next year.”

Hundreds of pupils made a splash at the pool before the summer break as it hosted the annual swimming gala for small schools in the area.

The medal race was tight but Buriton Primary School brought home the silverware after a day of close but friendly competition.

“We were over the moon with this years' performance by our Year 5 and 6 swimmers and we are very proud who took part and swam their little socks off,” said a spokeswoman for the school.