A NEW private-hire pool is about to open in Waveney after a dairy-farming family decided to diversify.

A NEW private-hire pool is about to open in Waveney after a dairy-farming family decided to diversify.

Trevor Fuller and his brother Alistair have for many years farmed a herd at Oaklands Farm, in Flixton Road, Bungay.

Now, the entrepreneurial family has decided to branch out by building a swimming pool at the farm and opening it to the public.

The pool is fully under cover and includes spacious changing facilities, showers and toilets.

The Fullers plan to open it in the next couple of weeks, and bookings are already being taken.

Penny Fuller, an occupational therapist, said: 'My husband Trevor and his brother Alistair have run a dairy herd here for years.

'With the farming industry facing tough times, they started looking for alternative uses for the farm buildings.

'We were successful in getting planning permission several years ago to convert the farm buildings into a small complex. The idea was to create self-catering holiday units with use of a new pool.

'The pool has come first, and we are hoping to convert the buildings in the future.'

Mrs Fuller said building the pool had not been straightforward. 'Because we are on marshland a lot of engineering went into the base so it could withstand changes in the water table,' she explained.

The pool is open to all and has access for people with disabilities. 'We wanted to provide facilities that were accessible for everybody,' Mrs Fuller said.

The family is also working with a local swimming school to provide a range of individual and small-group swimming classes tailored to suit.

Also planned are classes such as aquarobics, Pilates aquarobics and baby-and-toddler sessions.

The pool is being run on a pre-booked basis, with half-hour swimming slots costing �12.50. The pool is designed for a minimum of two people and a maximum of eight in the pool at any time for safety purposes.

Mrs Fuller said schools and groups had registered an interest in using it.

'The council-run pool in Bungay is so well used that schools cannot get in all the time, which means we may be able to help out,' she said.

The pool measures 9m by 12m and is deep enough for people to swim lengths and do tumble turns.

'I think people now recognise that healthy activities are really necessary in life and it is important to find yourself a bit of calm in a hectic world,' said Mrs Fuller.

'Everybody who walks in and has a look at the pool is quite impressed. It is beautiful, and you can see right across the marshland.'

A website will be going live soon, with more details at www.oaklandsleisure.co.uk.

For bookings call 01986 892552. Call 01728 628731 for further information about the pool.