GOUROCK'S iconic outdoor swimming pool will be officially opened at the weekend following its �1.8 million refurbishment, Inverclyde Council has confirmed.

On Saturday, the authority will lay on a day of family entertainment with a retro summer holiday theme to celebrate the transformation of the 103-year-old facility.

The Albert Road pool has been given a major facelift with new changing areas and modernised poolside facilities built, along with a large glass fronted gym kitted out with state-of-the-art equipment.

The council's education and communities convener, Councillor Terry Loughran, said: "This is the dawn of a new and exciting chapter for the pool, the people who use it year-in-year-out and for Gourock itself.

"The new pool will be a vibrant and important focal point for the town with its new look and tasteful design and I am sure it will be a huge attraction for local people and visitors alike." The official opening will feature music from local starlet Olivia Steele, dancing from the Waterbabes and a sing-along with a Cliff Richard tribute act.

There will also be a number of activities taking place, including Olympic themed water-based challenges, a diving display and lots of fun competitions and prize giveaways.

Gourock Pool is one of only two open air heated seawater swimming pools in the UK and has been a popular attraction for locals, day trippers and tourists since it opened in 1909.

Water is taken from the River Clyde, filtered, cleaned and maintained at a minimum temperature of 84F (29C).

Councillor Loughran, left, added: "This was a key project in the council's Leisure Strategy as part of our commitment to invest in the future health and well being of our communities.

"Gourock itself is set to undergo a major transformation as part of our own investment and Riverside Inverclyde's delivery of the development of the pier head and town centre.

"The pool will form the centrepiece of a new tourist hub, which will make the most of an area of stunning natural beauty with a welcoming and vibrant local economy." The re-opening will take place between noon and 3pm on Saturday.