LITTLE Sophie Ward marked her eighth birthday by joining in the fun at one of the city's oldest public baths.

North Woodside swimming pool first opened to the public in 1882 and is celebrating its 135th anniversary.

It originally had two swimming pools and 27 private baths and it was not uncommon for a large queue to form round the corner of the building on Fridays as people waited for a hot bath.

Now fully restored, it boasts a Victorian-era pool, a health suite, spa pool, gym and fitness studio.

Sophie, who takes part in a learn to swim session, was joined in the celebrations by fellow swimmers Kevin Osbourne, 72 and Alex McKay.

Alex, 55, first used the baths in 1972 when he was 10-years-old and now swims there twice a week. He remembers queuing for hours for a bath on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay – sometimes from 6am.

He said: “We had to have our hot baths ahead of the bells to make sure we were prepared to see in the new year.

“At that time, carbolic soap was provided and we used this to clean our clothes as well as ourselves.

“I've really fond memories of visiting the baths with my pals and we even had schemes in place to help us jump the queue or to spend longer than the allocated half an hour in the pool.”

Kevin has been using the pool since the 1980s and swims three times a week.

He said: “There is a real community feel in North Woodside so it has become a really important part of my life.”

Sophie, who is eight today, started using the pool four years ago and learned to swim there.

She said: “I really enjoy swimming and my classes re great fun, plus I have made a lot of friends with other people in my class and the teachers.

“I always look forward to my swimming lessons as it is one of my favourite things to do.”