Hitchin and Letchworth outdoor pools will be trialling a new wristband system to manage queues at peak times.

Under the new system - set to be introduced for the summer holidays and hot days - pay-as-you-go customers will be assigned coloured wristbands when they purchase a swim, with each colour denoting a three hour period during which they can use the pool.

The system will replace the one in, one out policy that is currently in place. Tickets for the pool will continue to be available on the door only, with wristbands issued at the time of purchase.

Stevenage Leisure Limited (SLL) and North Herts Council hope that the new system will improve the customer experience by reducing queues, alleviating parking problems, and allowing more people to use the pools at peak times.

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The system will be in place throughout the school summer holidays, and on days outside of the holidays where the temperature reaches or is expected to reach 28 degrees.

SLL will inform customers via their website and social media channels when the system is in place.

Cllr Steve Jarvis, North Herts Council’s executive member for leisure said: “It’s fantastic that we have so many visitors to our outdoor pools. We are trialling this new system to give more people the opportunity to enjoy our pools this year and will keep it under review.

“Please check SLL’s website or social media channels in advance of your visit to find out if the wrist band system is in operation.”