IT may be cold with occasional hail and even snow doing the rounds, but the “jewel” in Petersfield’s crown is open for business.

And hardy folk braved downpours and a chill wind to don their cossies and trunks to make a splash at the town’s open-air swimming pool and declare the new season well and truly open.

An adult-only session kicked off the 2016 season before new pool manager Deborah Mitchell cut the ribbon mid-morning to open officially the popular Tor Way facility which nestles in the corner of the car park off Heath Road.

The pool which first opened in 1962, is a charity held in trust for the people of Petersfield, which is open annually from spring until autumn.

The facility offers a heated pool, lit changing rooms, sun loungers, disabled facilities, hot showers, picnic tables, benches, a relined paddling pool, a covered area in case it rains, and refreshments.