It's the first day of Summer today.

It might not be by official measures - but it is by the thing that's important - whether the Splash Park at Coate water is open.

The popular playground at the south Swindon beauty spot will turn on the taps to give youngsters a good soaking for the first time this year today.

The park opens at 11am and will close at 5pm. There is no charge and no booking is required.

For more info call 01793 490150.

There's an extra special joy about the opening of the park today, as it might never have happened.

Swindon Borough Council's proposed budget revealed in December suggested the park could be shuttered in order to save the council £10,000. The pitch and putt course was also earmarked for closure, with a possible saving of £20,000.

After the Adver revealed the proposal residents got up a petition to oppose the closure, signed by more than 1,000 people.

The Conservative administration decided against closing the park, saying it wasn't the petition but savings made elsewhere in its budget that made the difference.

While the weather for the opening day may not be quite as tropical as it has been in the last week, it will be warm enough.

The Met Office is forecasting a high for Swindon of 18 degrees Celsius, the mercury will be plenty high enough to get the cossie on.