A handful of lucky youngsters were the first to test the waters at the revamped Shipley Pool reopening today.

Pupils from Shipley C of E First School splashed out in the baths which threw its doors open again after a long-awaited £600,000 refurbishment.

New features include a passenger lift to the cafe, sauna, solaria and re-furbished spectator gallery.

But the piece de resistance has to be the trendy Changing Village with its hi-tech lockers which replace the old-fashioned baskets and hangers, and its spacious cubicles.

Pool manager Diane Binns was brimming with pride at the official opening yesterday.

"It's magnificent and the changing rooms are so much better. They're brighter and swimmers will feel much safer leaving their belongings in these lockers," she said.

The state-of-the-art lockers - the first in Yorkshire - are bright blue, green and orange and the electronic locks are operated by green wristbands which contain a computer chip.

They are linked to a computer at reception which alerts staff to any problems.

And if swimmers forget their locker number there are four electronic screens which, when swiped with a wristband, flash up the number.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, Bradford Council's executive member for the environment, officially opened the transformed building.

"Two years ago we were set to close the pool and do the work but the money wasn't available but at last we've finally made it," she said.

"Shipley pool is now a fantastic facility and I hope people from all over will come and enjoy it."

Verity Bird, who worked on the new design of the changing rooms, said space was a must, especially for families and people with disabilities.

"As a mother of three little ones I know how difficult it is for everyone to get changed in a little cubicle," she said.

"The children try and escape under the sides and there's no way of keeping them in."

The family cubicles include a baby-changing table and toddler seat both with safety straps.

Large portholes surrounded by blue mosaic tiles look out on to the three pools from the changing room.

Ventialation in the pool area has been replaced along with a new ceiling and lighting.

An average of 4,000 customers visit the pool every week and is Bradford's biggest swimming instruction venue, catering for more than 650 learners, many of whom are school children.

The pool opened today at 12.30pm.