East

From a distance natural swimming pools may look like garden ponds surrounded by plants and reeds.

Work in progress - Woodbridge pool.

In reality they are engineered to look natural - they are created to have two sections and the water is filtered.

Inside Out visited one of the new generation of natural ponds near Diss in Norfolk.

It has been engineered to use only nature to clean the water for swimming.

Another pond at Old Wimpole in Cambridgeshire uses a similar technique - the water is alive and the plants create a healthy pool.

Making a natural pool

Inside Out followed the creation of a pool at a garden in Woodbridge.

Making a natural pool isn't cheap, costing about the same as a conventional pool, and the one at Woodbridge is going to cost around £60,000.

It has taken six weeks to construct this new, natural swimming pond.

Natural harmony - Bressingham pool.

The plants have yet to grow, but come the spring they will provide the natural filtration system for the pool.

Natural pools are increasingly popular in Europe and the first swimming pond was built in Austria in 1985.

The pools have also been driven by an awareness of the health benefits of bathing in natural spas.

But are these natural pools safe?

There are now around 5,000 natural swimming pools in Austria and Germany where they are becoming increasingly popular and there have not been any safety problems.

Despite the cost, these are public pools - not playgrounds just for the rich.

Luxurious and eco-friendly pool.

They are seen as an environmentally friendly alternative to the conventional swimming pool.

One of the pioneers is Peter Petrich.

His company developed a system used in over 3,000 of them, including one at Weston Colville in Cambridgeshire.

And they are increasingly attractive to swimmers looking for a relaxing experience at one with nature and the environment.

Wildlife welcome

Natural swimming pools are also eco-friendly.

With no chemicals added to the water, the door is open for nature to move in.

Natural pool - nature's way.

Inside Out asked in an independent pond expert to check out the wildlife in the ponds we visited.

He was surprised to find that these ponds support a diversity of life for the type of surroundings.

Enthusiasts of natural swimming say that nature and human enjoyment are in perfect balance.

Perhaps one day many more public pools will be like this...