A TEENAGER’S ambition to become a professional mermaid has been beached as she is unable to find a pool that will let her use her fin-tastic tail.

Leia Trigger, known as Mermaid Aries, is appealing to Worcestershire swimming pools to allow her to make a big splash with her homemade tail after being rejected from several leisure centres in the area.

The 18-year-old hopes to one day make a splash in the children's entertainment industry.

Miss Trigger said: "It is my ambition to become a professional mermaid that attends children’s parties and other events. The only problem is that I have nowhere to swim."

Student Leia Trigger previously tested out her tail at Bromsgrove's Dolphin Centre, until it was taken over by a new operator Everyone Active at the start of this month.

She said: "Until recently I was able to use my mermaid tail at the Bromsgrove Dolphin Centre, but the rules have now changed and this is no longer allowed.

"All of the other Bromsgrove pools I have contacted also won’t allow the use of my tail. They worry I might hit someone with my tail or might get into trouble in the water and drown.

"I do understand their concerns but I don't want to give up on my dream."

Everyone Active took over management of the School Drive centre on September 1, ahead of its demolition later this year.

The Dolphin Centre's official closure on November 1 will mark the opening of Bromsgrove's new £13.7million sports and leisure centre in the same road, which will also be managed by the operator.

Neil Cowdrey, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “Customer safety is our number one priority and our current company policy prohibits the use of mermaid tails during public swim sessions, due to the risk it poses to other swimmers.

“It can cause injury to other swimmers due to the extended length and movement of the tail, as well as causing an irregular current that can make it difficult for other customers using the pool."

It is unclear whether Leia's 'tail' will have a happy ending, but Everyone Active has pledged to discuss alternative arrangements.