Anyone for doggy paddle? 800 pooches and their owners take to the pool for annual swim 

Hundreds of dogs and their owners were spotted gleefully swimming in an outdoor lido this weekend in an annual  tradition. 

This weekend was the third annual dog swim at Sandford Parks Lido in Cheltenham and allowed pet owners to join their dogs for a brisk swim in the outdoor pool even as temperatures dipped to 7C. 

The dog swim is the last time the pool will be used before Christmas Day and marks the end of the swimming season, allowing it to be cleaned in the meantime. 

Adorable pictures from the event show an array of happy pooches delightedly paddling alongside their owners. 

All dogs were invited to come and make a splash at the event this weekend and organisers were careful to keep the swim socially-distanced.  

The swim started at 9.30am and lasts until around 4pm before the pool is closed for the coming months.   

The lido’s website states: ‘We are having to make some changes to our normal schedule schedule to make sure we apply with COVID guidelines on distancing and numbers on site.

‘Each wave is 1-hour long and you will have 15 minutes after the end of the session to change etc. before being required to leave the site.

‘Please note the showers and changing rooms will not be available. The site will then be closed for 30 minutes to allow us to clean and disinfect the poolside and toilets ready for the next group to come in.

‘You will also be required to wear a face mask while on-site to help reduce the risks, this will not be required when in the swimming pool.’