An outdoor swimming pool that thousands have enjoyed over the decades will mark its 60th birthday on Bank Holiday Monday with a nostalgia-filled celebration.

The lido in Faversham, which is the second oldest of its kind in the county, was opened in 1964 following a public appeal which raised £28,000 in four years - more than £710,000 in today’s money.

Now the charity will mark the anniversary on May 6 with a nostalgic take on its early days, with 60s-style decorations and a special admission price.

Swimmers will not be able to book a session online as usual and will instead be asked to queue and pay a minimum entry fee of 60p - but more if they are able - to support the pool’s ongoing running costs.

Admittance to both the indoor and outdoor pools will be based on a first come first served basis.

General Manager, Jon Lazenby says: “We are thrilled to be celebrating 60 years of our much-loved outdoor pool this year and this event is an opportunity for us to thank our community who have continuously supported us throughout the years.

“Funds raised will directly support on-ongoing ambitions of maintaining and enhancing our facilities.”

First mention of a swimming pool in Faversham is in a poster printed in 1878 calling for a public meeting about the project.

A Mr J Spalding came up with the idea of launching a public appeal for the funds.

But it would not be until 1959 that such an appeal became a reality with a target of £9,500. That was increased when it was decided that a bigger facility was needed for a town the size of Faversham.

The biggest boost to the scheme came with the donation of the land for the site off Cross Lane by Les Smith and a grant from the then Department for Education.

The project was enhanced to include heating for the outdoor pool and finally swimmers took to the waters in 1964 at the celebration launch of the facilities.

In recent years, the Faversham Pools has battled with increasing running costs, especially heating bills, and maintenance costs but, last month, benefited from a £227,500 grant from Sport England to help with new energy-saving measures, including heat recovery technology.

Kent’s oldest outdoor swimming pool opened in Tonbridge in 1910.