Wallingford's biggest tourist attraction -- the campsite, swimming pool and paddling pool at Riverside Park -- has been closed.

Heavy flooding at the campsite

The move has shocked tourism promoters, and is a major discussion point with town councillors.

Residents are demanding action -- or officer resignations -- if the decision is not reversed.

South Oxfordshire District Council decided to close the pools and campsite after heavy flooding damaged equipment and buildings at the site alongside the River Thames.

It would cost £44,000 to put right.

District council leisure head Chris Tyson said: "Floods have got worse year on year and we would have to spend annually, which would be a continuous drain on the council's resources.

"It is very likely they will be permanently closed.

"The amenities block at the campsite has been above flood levels in the past but this year it too was under water."

Wallingford's mayor-elect Betty Atkins said: "I am horrified. The area is vital to Wallingford." Dee Cripps, co-chairman of Wallingford Business Partnership, who has spearheaded moves to improve tourism in the town, said: "The campsite is a valuable accommodation area for visitors from this country and abroad, which provides essential income for businesses and shops.

"It is a sad day for Wallingford, and our growing tourism and leisure industry."

Regular user Matthew Griffiths of Winterbrook, Wallingford, is writing to every town and district councillor pressing for a change of mind, and calling for district chief executive David Buckle to resign. He said: "This is a valuable facility and should be re-opened.

"The amount of money to repair it is small and the job would take less than a month to complete.

"This is all down to district council inefficiency."

He was backed by another regular, John Dickinson.

He said: "It's unbelievable a decision can be made without consulting locals.

"It's arrogant and will have a bad effect on the town as a whole."

District council cabinet member for recreation, Wallingford's mayor, Nigel Moor, said: "I regret that the costs and risks associated with re-opening this popular riverside facility outweigh the benefits.

"I am aware it will be missed, but the review provides a good opportunity to consider the future of this important and sensitive site so that it continues to provide informal recreation opportunities for residents and visitors."

Riverside Park itself will remain open, and the flood-damaged public lavatories will be repaired.