IPSWICH’S Crown Pools are now fully open for the first time in 10 months after a major refurbishment programme.

The Competition Pool re-opened this morning once managers were confident that the last new tiles had safely hardened in position.

The pool complex is now fully open for the first time in 10 months after a �3.5 million refurbishment which started with the leisure and teaching pools which re-opened earlier this year.

Borough leisure spokeswoman Bryony Rudkin said: “We are pleased to announce the re-opening of the competition pool and I think we now have a pools complex to be really proud of.

“This has been an extensive refurbishment operation to bring Crown Pools back to its best and I would like to thank all our customers for their patience.”