Family's distress at Center Parcs pool 'dead rat'

A father-of-four said his family suffered "significant distress" and his wife's birthday getaway was ruined when his children found a rat at the bottom of a Center Parcs swimming pool.

Matt Wilson's children allegedly discovered the dead rodent in the river rapids section of the Subtropical Swimming Paradise area of Elveden Forest during a trip last month.

He said he reported the find to lifeguards, who then removed the animal from the resort's indoor pool.

Wilson said the pool was not cleared of swimmers nor closed off. Center Parcs said the water was tested and its "quality was within the appropriate standards".

The 39-year-old told the BBC the pool was being used by infants, young children, pregnant women and elderly people.

"The incident caused significant distress to my family, and we did not return to the pool afterwards," he said.

"Given the obvious hygiene risks, including potential exposure to bacteria or disease and the very real possibility of young children ingesting pool water, this situation is utterly horrifying."

Wilson had headed to the resort, on the Norfolk-Suffolk border, with his four children and wife to celebrate her birthday.

But they found the incident so "deeply disturbing", he said, they decided to go home a day earlier than planned.

He also cancelled a future £6,000 stay at the park, which he had booked for his 40th birthday later this year.

Wilson, who also said lifeguards were "laughing" while trying to remove the rodent, lodged a complaint with Center Parcs.

He said it offered him complimentary day passes, but he declined them.

Wilson said he sought the advice and guidance of the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group.

In a letter seen by the BBC, it said a rat being in a pool presented "little risk" providing the chemical treatment was operating properly.

But, if the rat had urinated, it said swimmers could be at risk of exposure to Leptospira, which could cause the potentially fatal Weil's disease.

"The pool should be cleared, and a set of water tests carried out, and those results compared with the dosing controller readings," the letter said.

Center Parcs said tests were carried out and it was satisfied with the results.

"As our villages are situated in the heart of the forest, on rare occasions woodland creatures can find their way into our buildings," a spokesperson said.

"On this occasion, the matter was dealt with following standard procedures.

"Our pool water is regularly monitored, and at the time and subsequently all water quality was within the appropriate standards."

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