AN "ingenious" plan has been concocted to transform Tewkesbury's flood plain into a giant outdoor swimming pool.
People at Tewkesbury Triathlon Club want to turn the Severn Ham, a patch of low-lying land at the confluence of the Severn and Avon rivers, into an open-air lido.
Reports suggest the ideas are being taken seriously by town planners who are even considering installing a 60-foot slide for holiday makers to whoosh down into the muddy depths.
It is not known when the facility will open – but it could be in use in September, October and July when heavy rain is likely to be in plentiful supply.
Lots of swimmers have voiced excitement at the idea.
Fans of the concept said it would be a chance to harness the town's excellent flood water potential whilst giving people a place to swim as Cascades undergoes development.
One of them, Dave Granger, himself an accomplished open-water swimmer, said it was a thrilling idea.
"Of course it could work," said the 53-year-old.
"Lots of people might think it's crazy but if you think about it, it makes perfect sense and is rather ingenious.
"Tewkesbury is known as an area which has had problems with flooding in the past. Why not take that and turn it into something positive?
"We've got the perfect conditions here to turn the plain into an outdoor pool.
"It would mean people don't have to travel to Cheltenham to use the Lido. They could just walk out of their homes and dive in."
Grandfather-of-three Dave, who swam the English Channel last year, said there could be health benefits linked to the scheme, encouraging more people in the town to take regular exercise.
"There's no doubt outdoor swimming makes you feel better," he added.
"I've been doing it for years and would recommend it to anyone."
Proposals are the subject of feverish debate among borough council planners, with an in-depth explanation due to feature in tomorrow's Echo.
