The community are torn on whether to reinstate the Promenade Park swimming lake.

While many residents back the ongoing call to bring back the swimming lake at the park in Maldon, there are many other detractors.

Bernie Kerr said: "It’s an insult to suggest that those who would like to see the lake opened are stuck in some 1950s utopia.

"No, it’s because it is a viable lake that could be opened again to allow families to enjoy the lake again as it should be enjoyed.

"Paddling, sandcastles, swimming, picnics.

"Being indoors in a chlorinated pool is not the same as enjoying the outdoors, which children should be allowed to enjoy."

Whether to reinstate the open air swimming lake or not has been a central argument in Maldon District for many years.

A continued petition has been online for many years also, urging the council to make the lake available to swim again.

Jacquie Shaw however does not feel opening the lake again is a smart move.

She said: "There’s a perfectly good swimming pool in the Blackwater Leisure Centre.

"Promenade Park has a water park, I can’t see any advantage to converting the pond back to a pool.

"All the expense for a very short season, waste of money, leave it as it is."

A letter penned by reader, John Mundy also said: "No mention has been made of hygiene – dogs and foxes tend to use ornamental lake. What about waterborne diseases?"

While Mr Mundy raised concerns about the hygiene of the lake, another reader encouraged keen swimmers to take the plunge.

Lucy Christie said: "I’m not particularly bothered whether it’s a pond or a swimming lake, but if the people who desperately want the good old 70s back took to swimming in the river regularly, the council might start to take them seriously.

"The river is fine to swim in on a rising tide.

"I don’t think they have the courage of their convictions."