MURALS painted on the walls surrounding Bathurst Pool in Lydney have been given a new lease of life.

The murals were painted in the early 2000s by the late John English to brighten up the drab breeze block walls.

But the years – and piecemeal attempts to patch up the walls – took their toll on the murals which show a variety of scenes including views of Greek islands, Cornwall and even a trio of pigs.

The murals have been restored by artist Carmen Rooksby, who is based at Brockhollands near Lydney, on behalf of the Friends of Bathurst Pool, the voluntary group which runs the open-air facility.

Mr English's wife, Mary and their daughter, Ann Reeves, visited the pool to see the restored murals which are a popular feature of the facility.

Mrs English said: "He would have loved them, they are lovely."

She said the trio of pigs combined his love of animals and his sense of humour. Mrs Reeves added: "Dad loved painting and this is helping to keep his memory alive."

Artist Ms Rooksby took pictures of the murals before starting work on the restoration.

She said: "I've tried to be as faithful as I could to the originals – they had become quite worn in places.

"They're not exactly the same as John did them but I hope they retain the essence of what he did.

"I took photos of everything before I started hacking the old cement out so I had something to go by.

"We had loads of helpers trying to put a bit of paint on where things had come off and somehow a lot of the original detail had got lost over the years.

"They are brighter now but they will tone down in time and John didn't cover the entire base as I did.

"I also did the buttresses so they go into each other as you look from the entrance."

A clear, protective coat will be put onto the murals to help preserve them.

The pool, which was given to the town by Lord Bledisloe in 1920 to mark the 21st birthday of his eldest son, Benjamin, is open every day until September.

It has its own swimming club with more than 100 members and it's own water challenge – the Bathurst Mile.

The challenge is open to all swimmers and those who complete the mile – which is 44 lengths of the 40-yard pool – will get a T-shirt.