A £50,000 upgrade to a swimming pool is to be unveiled today.

Billericay swimming pool, in Lake Meadows, Radford Crescent, will reveal improvements to the facilities as well as longer opening times and more staff.

The pool will also feature new equipment, a purpose-built reception desk and a new shop, selling swimming accessories and refreshments.

Visitors have been enjoying some of the improvements already, while the rest of the works will be carried out over the Christmas period.

Pool owner Gillian Dovey has borrowed the £50,000 from Barclays Bank.

Mrs Dovey, who runs First Strokes Swim Schools, said: “There are not many businesses getting funding from banks at the moment, so we have been really fortunate and it’s nice to know a project like this is seen as worthwhile.

“People have been gobsmacked by the changes. They’ve kept asking if it’s the same building because it’s so lovely.

“A local swimming pool is really important to the community, not just from a fitness point of view, but also to socialise, as a place where people can meet.”