PARENTS of young children have been angered by news that Milford Haven's indoor swimming pool will be closed for the next month.

A notice was posted on the town's leisure centre Facebook page on Saturday, announcing four weeks of closures, starting on Friday, August 3.

The leisure centre says the closure is necessary to carry out essential maintenance, and have apologised for the inconvenience.

"The outdoor paddling pool will be open as advertised," it adds.

A county council spokesman added: "The pool is closing temporarily for essential maintenance which includes repairing a leak.

"The council apologises for any inconvenience to pool users."

But parents say the timing could not be worse.

Facebook user Kelly Jayne said: "You are closed for the whole of the summer break?

"What about our children being entitled to free swimming in school holidays?"

"This is ridiculous," said Claire Hawkins.

"Not everyone likes or wants to go to the outdoor paddling pool.

"My eldest kids certainly don't as they are too big for it!

"Why close the pool knowing there is free swimming over the holidays?

"Surely the work could of been done beforehand or left an extra few weeks until the kids are back in school?"

The Rath paddling pool is open from 10am until 6pm during the week, and until 4pm on weekends, subject to weather or other operational reasons.

Before the closure comes into force, the leisure centre is running three free activity days to help children improve their technique.

Tomorrow (Tuesday), a breaststroke workshop will take place between 11am and noon; on Wednesday a butterfly session also starts at 11am, and on Thursday youngsters can learn to improve their backstroke.

Children must be in wave 5 or above, or 8 years and over to take part.

For more information contact the leisure centre on 01437 775959.