A swimming pool will be closed over Christmas as it gets a £60,000 refurbishment.

Cascades Leisure Centre, Thong Lane, Gravesend, will shut on Monday, December 16, as works starts on the pool which will introduce new water slides, lighting and a bar and catering area.

The lining of the flume tubes will replaced and a new lighting system and timer will also be added.

It is expected to reopen on Monday, January 13, in time for the centre's swimming lesson programmes.

Cascades is managed by Gravesham Community Leisure Limited (GCLL).

Operations manager Wayne Pedrick said: "We are excited about the refurbishment plans. The flumes are really well used at Cascades and the refurb should make the flume ride experience even better. I hope that the weather will be kind to us which will help us cause minimal disruption at the leisure centre."

Works to the pool's roof will be completed in sections over the winter period so it can remain open. Weather permitting, it should be fixed by the end of March.

Melanie Norris, director of communities for Gravesham council, said: "The council and its leisure partner, GCLL, are continually investing in the leisure centres, of which the majority of works are plant and machinery, which for the most part cannot be seen by users.

"However, the improvements and enhancements to the flumes and café area later in the year at Cascades will enhance the experience of customers visiting the site in the near future."

Read more: All the latest news from Gravesend