WEM Swimming Pool will be able to reopen to the public as soon as repair work is completed according to the pool's board of directors.

Gyms, pools and leisure centres across the UK have been closed since late March in line with government Covid-19 measures

In line with this, Wem pool closed its doors temporarily, but the closure has been a blessing in disguise, with the enforced closure providing ample opportunity to undertake key repairs.

The pool required the installation of brand-new pipe work, as well as a total refurbishment of the changing rooms, both of which would have meant the pool would have to be closed for several months.

But with the pool being closed anyway, the work has been undertaken and is set to be completed soon.

In a statement on the Friends of Wem Pool Facebook page, a spokesman for the pool's board of directors explained the work.

"We had intended for some time to do essential repairs to the pool pipe work and improvements to the changing rooms," said the spokesman. "It would be impossible to use the Pool and Gym while the work was underway.

"This would have meant closing for a couple of months, possibly later this year. So when the government announced the lockdown we took the opportunity to do the work now while we were closed anyway.

"The work involves digging out and replacing all the pool pipework together with completely stripping out and replacing the changing rooms.

"We expect the work to take a few more weeks to complete before we can reopen.

"Having looked at the rules for pools and gyms we are confident that with changes for social distancing we can be open when the work is completed.

"All of us here at the pool hope you have been keeping well and are really looking forward to seeing you again soon."