ADMISSION prices at a Hampshire lido are set to rise after one of the fees was described as “outrageously cheap”.

The cost of using Lymington’s famous seawater baths is due to increase from April, when the price of adult tickets, children’s tickets and adult concessions will all go up.

Town councillors were warned that a modest increase in admission fees was needed now to prevent a bigger rise in the future.

Cllr Peter Allen, pictured inset right, chairman of the amenities committee, said: “We have not raised these prices for three years. If we do not raise them (this year) we will have to raise them big time and it will put people off.”

But the proposed increases came under fire from Cllr Martina Humber, an Independent member for Pennington.

She cited the “real poverty” that existed in parts of Lymington and Pennington, adding: “We have very wealthy people living here but we also have people with two or three children who may not be earning much.

“We’re a tourist area where winter jobs are not available, so people who earn in the summer have to spread their income throughout the year.”

Referring to the current cost of a children’s ticket Cllr Allen said: “If I leave it at £1.50 and it’s outrageously cheap, then later I have to treble it to £3, then we will have to have this discussion again.”

But Cllr Humber retorted: “It’s better to be outrageously cheap than outrageously expensive.”

The lido in Bath Road, Lymington, was packed last August, when a long spell of exceptionally hot weather coincided with the school holidays.

New figures show it generated £50,000 in income for the council throughout the summer - £21,000 more than expected.

But the authority is planning to give the 184-year-old facility a £70,000 facelift that includes improvements to the toilets and changing rooms. A first aid room is also planned.

Under the proposed price hike the cost of an adult ticket will rise from £2.50 to £3.

The price of a children’s ticket will jump from £1.50 to £2 and the cost of adult concessions will go up from £2 to £2.50. 

Under-fives will still be admitted free.

During the debate Cllr Nick Bubb reminded members that people could use the pool all day.

Cllr Penny Jackman, a former chairman of the committee, added: “Can you think of a cheaper day out for children round here than £3?”