A DANGEROUS boating pond used as a swimming pool by youngsters on Weston beach is to be demolished. Children who have no outdoor pool to splash around in and who do not want to risk the dangers of swimming in Weston Bay often jump into the beach's model b

A DANGEROUS boating pond used as a swimming pool by youngsters on Weston beach is to be demolished.Children who have no outdoor pool to splash around in and who do not want to risk the dangers of swimming in Weston Bay often jump into the beach's model boating ponds, despite signs warning them against it.Health and safety officers have now recommended immediate action for the pond at the north end of the beach, saying it either needs to be demolished or completely rebuilt. North Somerset Council has said the only economical solution is to knock it down.The pond was built in 1926 out of concrete and despite undergoing a number of repairs it can no longer be patched up.During this week's heatwave, children had been trying to dive into the pond despite the rubbish inside and the steel poles protruding from it. It has now been temporarily filled with sand.The council was presented with three options by health and safety officers:* To fully repair and waterproof the pond at an estimated cost of £125,000. * To replace the pond with a similar structure at a cost of around £215,000. * To dismantle and remove the pond at a possible cost of up to £25,000.The pond is likely to be dismantled in the next two weeks.The other boating pond, at the south end of the beach, will remain and a maintenance schedule drawn up to ensure it is preserved. Due to its position it is rarely covered by the tide and less likely to be battered by strong currents.