FAMILIES who made a trip to a city centre park were left disappointed that the splash pad has not been turned on.

Excited youngsters were in Gheluvelt Park on Sunday with swimsuits at the ready - but the splash pad was shut. 

While the water play area is normally open at this time of the year, it is only set to reopen only later this month after councillors agreed that it could be turned on later in a bid to save money.

There wasa mix of surprise and disappointment from people that it is yet to be open during one of the hottest weekends so far this year.

Tom Brown had made the trip down from mid-Wales to visit family and said the intention was for his kids to use the splash pad.

"We had travelled down here with the intention to use the splash pad," he said.

"We are visiting family but the kids were looking forward to splashing around in the water so it's disappointing.

"At least the cafe is open!"

Laurie Neville, from Worcester, said while there had not been the intention to use the splash pad during their visit, he was "surprised it wasn't open".

"We may come back another weekend," he added.

Bec Berry had travelled to Worcester from Hereford and expressed her disappointment that the splash pad was not in use.

"The kids had their bathing suits ready, we're very disappointed," she said.

"We came for a special day out. We looked on the park website and it said that it was open.

"We've been before, it's a beautiful park.

"It keeps the kids interested, especially as it's too hot to play on the equipment and the splash pad keeps them cool.

"We have friends who are travelling down from Leicestershire and don't know that's closed."