A pool has been compared to a swamp after the water turned green following months of lockdown.

Those passing by Keswick Leisure Pool have shared their shock and disgust at the pool’s state on social media, even comparing it to Shrek’s swamp home.

And Keswick man, Barry Harding, was particularly outraged, branding the pool "a bad advert" for the area.

"It looks like it's been abandoned," he said.

"I had a look through the window, which was hard because the windows are so filthy, and it's just a disgrace."

Mr Harding, of Jan's Lakeland Sandwich Shop, added that the pool offers residents of the town a wet-weather option, but many have said they are put off by the seeming lack of care of staff while the centre has been closed.

He said: "It doesn't give you confidence in how clean the rest of it is – what are the changing rooms and the rest of it like if the pool has been left to look like that?

"I wouldn't like to think of people letting their kids swim in there. It looks like somewhere Shrek would feel completely at home!

"It's just absolutely minging, and a really bad advert for the town."

The pool is run by Better, on behalf of Allerdale Borough Council, and have reassured residents the situation will be easy and quick to fix.

“During lockdown the pool at Keswick Leisure Centre was switched off to reduce the cost to Better and Allerdale Council and to reduce its environmental impact,” a spokesman for Better said.

“The water was consequently untreated and green algae started to form naturally. We knew this could happen.

“The situation can be reversed quickly with a deep clean, chemical treatments and switching it back on so water circulates.

“Keswick Pool will not be one of the leisure facilities reopening in the initial phase.”

From July 25, gym goers will be able to once again use facilities at Workington Leisure Centre, with the gym and fitness studios at Cockermouth Leisure Centre also opening.

For more details, visit the Allerdale Borough Council website.