Disabled residents across Wiltshire are set to find it easier to go for a swim after the council announced it was to instal new pods to make pools more accessible.

Pool-Pods, which help people with mobility issues get in and out of a swimming pool, are being installed across Wiltshire Council's sites, and have already been put in place at The Vale in Pewsey, Marlborough Leisure Centre and Devizes Leisure Centre.

Further installations are due at Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, Olympiad Leisure Centre, Trowbridge Sports Centre and The Activity Zone in Malmesbury by March 2023.

They will also be installed at the new Melksham Community Campus, which is due to open later this year.

The council said: "Pool-Pods provide dignified and independent access for swimmers who find it hard to get in or out of the swimming pool, such as wheelchair users, older adults, pregnant women and those with limited mobility.

"Unlike a traditional pool hoist, the user can independently control the operation, using a specially designed wristband, without the need for a pool attendant’s intervention.

Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Health, said: “Having these Pool-Pods installed and in use at our leisure centres will help us offer greater access to more local people who may wish to use our leisure centres to improve their health and wellbeing.

“We are excited to have the new pool-pods and we are aiming to have them installed in all Wiltshire Council swimming pools as soon as we can.”