URGENT action is being taken to improve the quality of Lymington’s famous seawater baths amid fears that bathers could sue if they became ill.

Extra chlorine is being added to the water on the advice of experts from the University of Southampton, which has been asked to monitor bacteria levels.

It comes as pool bosses move to dispell rumours that it was to be demolished and the site turned into a hotel.

The pool, situated at the mouth of the Lymington River, is due to open this weekend.

Town clerk Steve Cridland said: “The water used is a mixture of seawater and river water, which means the quality of the pool is largely dependent on what’s in the river when the pool is filled or topped up.

“There are many types of bacteria present in the water and the council has a responsibility to provide safe swimming.”

The pool is owned by Lymington Town Council, which says it has not received any complaints about the water and insists that swimmers are safe.

But the authority is anxious to avoid any compensation claims and is taking action to ensure it complies with safety standards.

Mr Cridland said: “The Government will soon introduce rules to ensure that the quality of all pools is maintained to a prescribed standard, regardless of whether pools contain seawater or fresh water.

“This is a litigious age. We cannot risk a claim on local people’s funds due to a lack of care over water quality safety.

“The council has decided to appoint the University of Southampton to conduct a study on the water purity of the pool.

“They have provided a regime which they feel the council should follow to ensure that the pool quality is kept to an acceptable level.”

The pool was due to open last weekend but Mr Cridland confirmed that chemicals used to treat the water arrived late, forcing the authority to postpone the opening.

He also hit out at “alarmist” suggestions that the baths will be shut and replaced with a hotel.

“The council is aware that a small group of people are spreading the rumour that the majority of councillors are keen to close the pool,” he said.

“Nothing could be further from the truth.

“What is true is that the council is trying to find ways to reduce the cost of running the pool, increasing its usage and enhancing and upgrading what is clearly a tired facility.

“The council has already agreed that savings achieved will be ring-fenced for further improvements to the seawater baths complex.

“It’s a very different attitude from the ridiculous and alarmist suggestion that the council aims to close it or build a hotel there.”