Criticism has been laid on the council for failing to have a paddling pool open a month after its due date.

From June 16, mums and dads, sons and daughters were all supposed to be splashing about at the Elisabeth Pool in Wimbledon Park.

But due to what Merton Council has labelled as "technical difficulties", the pool has yet to open all summer.

This angered ward councillors Ed Gretton and Oonagh Moulton, who said a lack of preparation was to blame.

Wimbledon Times:

"You can’t just expect to turn up and switch everything on a few days before the hot weather arrives," Cllr Gretton said.

"The council needs to make sure there is a proper regime of proactive maintenance before the annual opening in June.

"Countless families with young children are disappointed when they arrive in our wonderful park. We are now in full summer, we have had the Wimbledon Championships, and it’s such a shame that the paddling pool has still not opened."

When asked to explain why the pool was still closed a month on from the original opening date, cabinet member for commerce, leisure and culture Caroline Cooper-Marbiah only echoed the statement on the council's website that technical issues were to blame and that they are working with contractor Idverde to fix it.

Wimbledon Times:

"We would like to apologise to children who were looking forward to splashing around in Wimbledon Paddling Pool," she said.

"We would like to flag up that we arranged for the paddling pool at Colliers Wood Recreation Ground to open earlier than scheduled this year, to compensate for the delayed opening of the Wimbledon Paddling Pool.

"Many families have already been enjoying using this facility.

"Please note that our four other paddling pools and two interactive play areas in parks across the borough are due to open on Sunday (July 21) for the summer holidays.

"The attractions will remain open until Monday, September 2. All our popular pools and water play areas are free to use and maintained throughout the opening period.”