NEW compulsory protective overshoes will be introduced as part of a raft of measures to improve hygiene at a Taunton swimming pool and leisure centre.

Greenwich Leisure Limited has confirmed “significant measures to improve cleanliness standards” are currently being carried out at Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa.

The work comes after mother Julie Collins, who lives in Galmington and uses the pool, raised concerns about some areas at the centre which she described as “dirty.”

A spokesman for GLL, which runs the centre on behalf of Taunton Deane Borough Council, said: “We are in the process of undertaking significant measures to improve cleanliness standards in the pool area and changing rooms at Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa. 

RELATED: Mother Julie Collins has spoken about the poor hygiene at Blackbrook Leisure Centre and Spa

“We have already reviewed and restructured our cleaning schedules and employed an additional part-time cleaner. Leisure centre staff, working with external contractors, undertook an overnight deep clean earlier this week. We are now using different cleaning chemicals and will be introducing a new compulsory, overshoe policy on or before July 14.

“We are continuing to actively recruit additional lifeguards.”

Mrs Collins took a number of pictures which showed grime, hair and other dirt in changing areas.

When the pictures were sent to GLL, a spokesman said there will be an immediate review of the cleaning processes.

The anticipated opening of the pool and leisure centre took place on Saturday, July 23, 2016, and replaced the facility in St James Street.

The state-of-art centre boasts a 13m teaching pool, a 25m main pool, as well as a viewing area, ‘coffee corner’ and a changing village and a spa, which boasts a range of therapies.