These are the Harrogate district swimming pools which will remain closed - but young people can soon swim elsewhere

Harrogate Borough Council has announced Ripon Spa Baths, Starbeck Baths and Knaresborough Swimming Pool will have to remain closed because of staffing and maintenance problems.

It comes after the government last month gave a go-ahead for leisure venues to reopen, and the council welcomed back visitors to Harrogate Hydro and the leisure centres in Pateley Bridge and Ripon.

The centres were only partially reopened for safety reasons, with some services and classes yet to return.

But the council has now announced young people over 12-years-old will be able to take part in lane swimming from 14 August. This can be booked on the council's website.

It is also hoped swimming, gym inductions and spinning classes will restart at Nidderdale Pool and Leisure Centre in the coming weeks.

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Staff from across the leisure centres are still supporting frontline council services in response to the coronavirus crisis, such as looking after vulnerable people and helping with waste collections.

Some of the safety measures introduced at the reopened centres include time limits for gym and swim sessions, regular cleaning and changing rooms and lockers for swimmers only.

Coun Stanley Lumley, cabinet member for culture, tourism and sport, said: “I’m delighted we’ve been able to open a number of our leisure centres safely. The team have been working tirelessly to ensure customers enjoy their visit but can also do so safely.

“I’d like to personally thank them for their efforts, and for those that are also supporting our frontline services. I know my fellow cabinet members are hugely grateful. We hope to open other facilities in the coming weeks so watch this space.”

The council last month approved plans to hand over management of its leisure centres to a council-controlled company.

The new company - to be called Brimham’s Active - will launch by August 2021.

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter