Banbury's open-air swimming pool has been closed -- just three days after it opened for the 2003 season.

The move is a rerun of events last year when the pool, at Woodgreen Leisure Centre, was shut only a few days after it opened -- and remained closed for most of the summer.

The problem this year is thought to be a repeat of last year's troubles when limescale on the bottom of the pool caused injuries to swimmers' feet.

Managers at the pool received complaints on Sunday from eight children who had lost skin from their toes.

Chris Rothwell, Cherwell District Council's sports and recreation manager, said: "We have had to shut the pool to investigate the recurrence of minor injuries to children's feet. The problem seems to be limescale on the bottom of the pool.

"It is disappointing that this has happened again. A lot of time and effort had gone into getting the pool ready for its opening on Saturday."

Mr Rothwell said the pool would have be to drained.

He said: "It could be open again within days -- we just do not know at this stage.

"Limescale similar to that which builds up in kettles at home is the cause of the injuries. It rubs away the skin that has become softened by being in water for a time."

Mr Rothwell blamed new regulations about chemicals used to clean the water in public swimming pools.

He said: "We did not have these problems when we pumped chlorine gas through the water.

"Now we have to use a chemical -- calcium hypochloride -- to conform with industry standards. But we know that other pools in the country are not affected in this way -- there must be something different about our pool."

Mr Rothwell said a mild acid wash would remove the limescale, and he hoped it could be carried out before the peak season began.