GOUROCK Pool is making a splash as a national tourist attraction with visitors from across the country coming to town to take the plunge.

With its unique location, views and saltwater, the country's oldest public outdoor heated pool has become a top summer break destination.

Despite this year's Covid restrictions and the unreliable weather, the visitors just keep on coming.

They are welcomed by the friendly lifeguard team who have been hailed as one of the pool's greatest assets, pulling out all the stops to make sure swimmers have a splashing time.

So far this year there have been almost 200,000 hits on the pool's website, with people from all postcodes looking for directions.

Pool manager George Munro said: "The number of visitors from outside grows all the time.

"Look at the views and what we have to offer - people just love coming to swim here."

When the Tele visited the pool this week there were lots of swimmers from outwith the area giving it rave reviews.

Helen Spiers, from Glasgow, was in the pool with her 10-month-old son Thomas and her friend Kirstin Barr.

She said: "We are absolutely loving it here.

"It is brilliant, the pool is warm and my son loves to swim, so we are always looking for somewhere to go.

"It is so reasonably priced at Gourock Pool.

"But the staff are just lovely and they are so welcoming, they can't do enough for you.

"We are definitely coming back."

Friend Kirstin, from Edinburgh, added: "This is definitely worth the travel, you can't beat this."

Meanwhile local kids have been queuing up to get in and enjoy the pool and the popular diving boards.

One of the lifeguards on the team is Lauren Mulaghton, a university student who has worked at the outdoor pool for the last six years during the summer.

The 22-year-old told the Tele: "It is a brilliant job here, coming here every day to work with your friends.

"We have a great team at Gourock Pool.

"We get to know all our regulars so well and they are so sweet to us.

"It is great to see everyone here having fun."