THREE paddling pools may be closed permanently because of health and safety issues.

Last year, the council-owned pools at Harrogate's Valley Gardens, Bebra Gardens, Knaresborough, and Borrage Green, Ripon, were temporarily closed by Harrogate Borough Council.

The closures came after the council carried out a risk assessment following health and safety guidance from the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management.

The long-term future of the pools will be discussed at a meeting of the borough council's cabinet on January 5.

Upgrading the pools and providing a treatment facility and staff accommodation plus salaries would cost £223,000 and running costs could be almost £20,000. Staffing costs for the year would be £25,620.

Providing an active water feature using water jets and without the need for staffing would cost £224,250.

Head of parks Pat Kilburn said the paddling pools, if operated without any changes, would be contrary to legislation.

Mr Kilburn is asking the cabinet to advise whether they feel on-site supervision should be provided if the paddling pools are to stay open.

The Health and Safety Executive said whether constant poolside supervision is needed depends on how a pool is used. But a pool not normally needing supervision might have to provide it when the pool was used by unaccompanied children under 15 or when crowds were expected.

He said there were not enough funds available but a decision was needed on what to do if extra cash is needed and how it is to be provided.

Apart from new legislation, the paddling pools were constructed many years ago with the one at Bebra Gardens showing the greatest degree of deterioration.

Previously, the pools were filled at the start of a week, chlorinated manually and tested twice a day.

They were then cleaned and drained.

Mr Kilburn said new guidance suggested this practice would also have to change.

Lack of an appropriate filtration system could lead to development of bacteria, which was a source of gastro- intestinal illness and which could be severe.

An option of replacing the pools with sand pits would be very expensive to maintain, said Mr Kilburn, and would need fences at Ripon and Knaresborough to prevent dogs gaining access.

There could also be the risk of glass and sharp objects hidden in the sand.