Richmond swimming pool had to be evacuated on Sunday after a storm caused a torrent of rainwater to come through the roof.

Bathers at Richmond swimming pool got more water than they bargained for when roof drains failed to cope with two heavy downpours.

The deluge created a waterfall of rain that poured into the pool and the catering area at around 2pm.

One bather said: "It started out with a few drops and then there was a waterfall; it was quite dramatic. The kids wanted to stay and play in it but the staff cleared everyone out. They really knew what they were doing and were very efficient."

Mr Ian Garth, Richmondshire's leisure contracts manager, said: "The duty manager was concerned about the effect the rainwater could have had on the building's electrical system and quite rightly decided to switch off the power and evacuate the pool."

Swimmers had to change in near darkness as the pool switched to emergency lighting.

The unexpected downpour also put a damper on the lunches of about 30 young Gurkha soldiers. They had just received their order of burger and chips when the water came in and they were asked to leave the building.

Mr Garth said the drains were simply unable to cope with the deluge of rain.

He added: "We were due to close at 4pm so only two hours' swimming was lost."