OH, we do like to be beside the seaside.

But Eastleigh is definitely not famous for its golden beaches - so the council is to import the fun of the sand dunes into the landlocked town.

Bringing the seaside atmosphere to the town is part of the plan as the council is to splash £211,000 on major improvements to Fleming Park's popular paddling pool.

As part of the big makeover a beach area will be created at the southern end of the pool - near the sunshades.

There will also be four new water-jet play features.

Work on the pool is already under way and contractors are installing new pipe work and water treatment equipment to bring the pool into line with new regulations.

They will also be repairing the concrete and re-rendering parts of the walls of the pool as well as replacing the pool surround with a new rubber surface.

The work should be finished during April.

Council leisure boss Alan Broadhurst is sure that the improvements would be well received.

He said: "The paddling pool is a really popular venue for hundreds of young families."

Cash from developers' contributions is being pumped into the pool project.

Cllr Broadhurst says it means that there will be even more interest from the children during the summer as well as bringing the pool up to the latest standards.