A KEY attraction at a North seaside resort will not be ready to open in time for this weekend's bank holiday because of health and safety concerns.

Atlantis, an outdoor water park in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, had been due to open tomorrow for the summer season. But officers at Scarborough Borough Council felt that a new pool liner installed by contractors in recent weeks was not safe.

Health and safety checks revealed that in overcast weather there were issues about visibility in some areas of the pool.

The council has apologised for the delay, but said the park would not be re-opened until the issue was resolved.

Councillor David Jeffels, tourism and leisure spokesman for the council, said: "Health and safety is of paramount importance and although we would very much like to have had Atlantis open in time for the bank holiday weekend, we have to put the well-being of our residents and visitors at the top of our priorities.

"We apologise to those families who were looking forward to visiting the facility, but would reassure them that Atlantis is just one of the many attractions we have on offer in the town."

Last year, the council was fined £12,000 by magistrates in connection with the death in 2000 of a 16-year-old youth at the water park. John Rudderham, from Hull, suffered an epileptic fit and drowned.

The council admitted offences under the Health and Safety At Work Act.