Oxford City Council has decided not to open a popular open-air paddling pool in North Oxford in an attempt to save a million litres of water.

It is the second consecutive year the pool at Cutteslowe Park has been shut for the summer following last year's decision to close it for two weeks after it opened due to faulty surfaces. The city council says the pool, which attracts hundreds of children during the summer holidays, does not have its own filtration system and so has to be refilled every day.

It means around 10,000 litres of water is required to fill the pool daily and it expects to close the pool for the entire summer holiday season until the beginning of September. It will save more than one million litres of water.

Oxford City Council spokesman Louisa Dean said: "We have taken the decision simply to save water. Of course, we are sorry for the children, but this is the sensible, responsible thing to do.

"There are no city council fountains in Oxford that we could turn off in any of the parks and if people wanted to use another type of swimming pool they can go to Hinksey open-air pool off the Abingdon Road, which has a special splash feature for youngsters."

The decision has been praised by one Oxford mother who still holds fond memories of taking her son to the pool several years ago.

Anna Ballance, of Wolvercote, said: "It is a shame that they have closed the pool because it is a lovely place to take young children when the weather's nice.

"Having said that, I think it is a very responsible move by the city council because in the current drought situation it would be a lot of water being used."

Thames Water has also praised the decision. Spokesman Robin Markwell said: "We would like to thank the council for keeping their pool empty during the summer.

"We know there will be some disappointed youngsters out there, but we hope they understand that this will save precious litres during the drought."