THE heatwave has resulted in a popular paddling pool in Burnley being opened for little splashers every day of the week.

Normally the pool, at the Colne Road end of Thompson Park, is only open at weekends, and during school holidays.

But the soaring temperatures have persuaded council bosses to fill the water feature on week days as well.

Simon Goff, the council’s head of green spaces, said: “It’s great to have some hot weather, and we’ve had lots of people inquiring if the paddling pool is open, so we are opening it on weekdays during this current spell of hot weather.

“The paddling pool in Thompson Park is one of the very few remaining paddling pools in the North West and, with a play area, sand pit, boating lake, and a miniature railway, Thompson Park is a great place to relax with the kids.”

Repairs were carried out to the pool early last summer.

Ambitious proposals are in the pipeline for the 83-year-old landmark, if a £1million Heritage Lottery Fund grant can be secured.

Stone columns, which formed the backdrop for the Italian Garden, had to be removed in 2011 because of high winds. It is hoped any lottery cash would also benefit the main boating lake and Beech Garden. Towneley Park benefited to the tune of £2m from the same source in 2005.

The park was created in 1930 following a £50,000 bequest by James Witham Thompson, who died a decade earlier and wanted to “provide pleasant walks and sitting areas and to promote more active leisure pursuits for adults and children.”