A host of free family activities have been planned to mark milestone celebrations for Ipswich pools.

Crown Pools and Fore Street Pools will have a joint celebration next weekend, as they mark 40 and 130 years respectively.

To commemorate this occasion Ipswich Borough Council has organised activities at the pools from Friday, May 10 to Sunday, May 12. 

Fore Street Pools opened in 1894, where it served as Ipswich's first Victorian Bath by local businessman Felix Thornley Cobbold. 

It was later converted into a pool and donated to the borough council, and today stands as the second oldest operational swimming pool in the country.

Meanwhile, Crown Pools was a purpose-built leisure facility that opened its doors in 1984 to people queuing outside trying to get into the water for the first time. 

Ipswich Star: Princess Diana visited Fore Street Pools in 1990.Princess Diana visited Fore Street Pools in 1990. (Image: Ipswich Borough Council )

Ipswich Star: Fore Street Pools opened first in 1894Fore Street Pools opened first in 1894 (Image: Ipswich Borough Council )

To celebrate this occasion on May 10, Crown Pools will host a social tea event from noon to 2pm, and on the following day, it will host an exclusive pool party.

Families have until May 3 to win a chance to attend the event.

Both pools will hold a free Open Day on Sunday, May 12. 

Children at Crown Pool will receive a complimentary gift bag, along with balloon art, face painting and a chance to meet up with a mermaid, Spider-Man, and DiGBY the blue octopus. 

Fore Street will be running free scuba lessons for children aged 10 and up. 

The celebrations continue throughout May, with prizes to be won in two special fitness challenges linked to the anniversaries.

Entrants can choose to complete 130 minutes of movement every week for the month or make a commitment to walk, swim, cycle, run or row a total of 40 miles during the month to be in with a chance to win.