Captain Kev joined seven of his "mateys" from Kingswood School, Corby – students who have been helping to design the fun-pool at the £19m international complex to launch the facilities yesterday.

The 63-metre long flume is shaped in a figure-of-eight with the pirate ship taking centre stage in the fun-pool.
When finished it will be kitted out with two water cannons, a small slide, a crow's nest and rigging.

Manager of the pool and future boss of the new Olympic-sized complex, Liz Hudson, said: "This is a milestone.The fun pool will be really key in attracting families. We're hoping to have a bit of everything for them."

BTEC art and design students from Kingswood School forged a link with the pool several months ago and have been helping to design the new features at the complex in Wescott Way.

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Art teacher Clare McLaughlin said: "As part of their course they have to work on a live vocational programme. They were given the pirate theme and researched what they wanted the pool to look like.

"It's been extremely relevant to their studies."

Louise Nottage, 15, said: "We designed and made collages for around the pool.

"We came up with different ideas and some of us also used a dinosaur theme. I'll be coming to the new pool when it opens."

Conor Douglas, 15, said: "We've been working on this for about four weeks.

"I'm really looking forward to the pool opening."

The flume is eight metres high and took about three weeks to put in place.

It includes light panels which create strips of coloured light to light up the journey down. The flume can be used by anybody older than five and at least 1.2m tall.

Corby Council leader Pat Fawcett said: "Everyday Corby East Midlands International Pool is developing into a spectacular building, which is very exciting.

"I'm sure the flume and pirate ship won't just be a hit with the youngsters but will be something that the whole family can enjoy together."

Martin Adie, operations director of contractors Willmott Dixon, said: "The installation of the flume and pirate ship is an exciting milestone and brings the Corby East Midlands International Pool another step closer to completion."