A popular Norwich play area is set to shut for two months, but families have been promised they are in for a whale of a time when it reopens.

Norwich City Council are transforming the paddling pool in historic Waterloo Park into a state-of-the art interactive water play area.

The council has �179,000 secured through section 106 cash – money developers give to the council as part of planning permission agreement – to spend on revamping the pool and the play equipment in the New Catton park.

The new water play area, known as a splashpad, will feature water jets children can activate, spray showers and an arching water fence, with a whale at its centre.

Mike Parker, city council parks and open spaces officer, said the council had asked children and families at the park, at Angel Road Junior and Primary schools and a SureStart play session what they would like to see in the new pool.

He said: 'We asked them what they thought of the current paddling pool and, while the younger kids liked it some of the older ones thought they were a bit too old for it.

'We showed them the ideas we had and they thought they were great. It will be cleaner and safer than the current one.

'Some of the parents were a bit sad, because they could remember playing in the paddling pool when they were young, but they realise it was time to move on!'

The water will be collected in a large underground storage system and used to water the nearby bowling greens.

Mr Parker said he believed the new water play area will be the first of its kind in Norfolk.

The whole of the current play area will need to be closed while the work is carried out, with contractors due to arrive on site on Tuesday, April 26.

The new water play area will be ready by July, in time for the school summer holidays.

While the play area is closed, city council officers suggest parents take their children to Wensum Park in Drayton Road or to the city's first eco-park – St Clements Park in Woodcock Road.

Do you have fond memories of splashing around in the paddling pool at Waterloo Park? Tell us your recollections by writing to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, Norwich NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk