A GIANT inflatable has proved a huge draw at Darlington's Dolphin Centre. The 18-metre pool float, Lunar 2, was introduced at the start of the school holidays and has attracted hundreds of swimmers.

A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman said: "It has just been a massive attraction and the pool has been packed every day."

Lunar 2 is in the main pool from Monday until Friday from 2pm to 4pm. Sessions cost £1.50.

A £70,000 programme of work due to start next month will see what is thought to be the region's first translucent water slide installed in The Dolphin Centre. There will also be a new interactive toddler pool with water jetting frogs and whales.

The new slide, with water jets, is believed to be the only translucent water slide in the North-East and will replace the 15-year-old curly slide which has been out of action since April this year.

Throughout the works all the pools, except the toddler pool, will remain open to the public. Work is expected to take about three weeks.