This cool looking splash park is coming to the seaside this summer

A colourful splash park with water jets, sprays and tipping buckets is set to delight young visitors to one of Norfolk’s most popular resorts this summer.

Heavy machinery is busy on Gorleston’s lower promenade digging up the old concrete paddling pool which has given families lots of happy holiday memories since the 1960s.

However the upgrade being carried out by Great Yarmouth Borough Council will bring a modern, safe attraction to the seaside chiming with what is in place in similar resorts.

The splashpad will have fountain sprays, jet streams and buckets of tipping water, all set within an ocean-themed play area featuring a sail boat, fish, seaweed, starfish and a crab, on soft rubber surface.

There will also be colourful LED lights, plus benches for parents.

MORE: Seaside paddling pool at Gorleston set for revival under £400,000 scheme

Cllr Graham Plant, the council leader, said: “Gorleston is a family resort, and with the old paddling pool now at the end of its life, we wanted to ensure there was a modern, free-to-use wet play attraction for our youngest visitors.

“Splashpads are increasingly popular across the UK and are also much safer as there is no depth of water.

“The ocean theme is appropriate for Gorleston seafront and will be really fun for the little ones, so we expect that lots of families will try it out this summer.”

Mr Plant said the play zone would follow the same footprint as the existing pool.

Work involves digging up the old site, re-laying new pipes, adding pumps and resurfacing.

Contractor Ustigate will start work within the next fortnight, with the aim of opening for the main summer holidays, if not before.

“It is going to be fantastic for Gorleston,” Mr Plant added.

“With the beach huts going down there too it is about investing in Gorleston and making sure we have got something for the future.”