Health Protection Scotland has been called in to examine water quality tests from Stonehaven Open Air Pool.

Aberdeenshire Council has consulted the specialist NHS division over contamination at the facility.

The pool had been due to welcome visitors nearly a month ago but the opening has been delayed twice after hydrocarbons – found in substances including oil - were discovered in the water.

It had been hoped the art deco pool, which attracted nearly 30,000 visitors last year, would be able to open two weeks week, after volunteers emptied and cleaned the pool before refilling it, but further tests have confirmed the continued presence of contamination.

STV understands the authority consulted with every open air facility in the UK which uses salt water and found that the problem was unique to Stonehaven prompting the council to contact the HPS for advice over the level of contamination which is acceptable.

A spokeswoman for HPS said: “We were contacted by the council a couple of weeks ago for advice in relation to results we had for the pool but have also involved our colleagues at NHS Grampian. We are continuing to provide advice as more results come about.

“The council is leading the investigation and we’re working in a support roll.”

She said that further tests were likely to take place at the facility and they would be meeting with the council today to discuss the situation.

A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said: “Investigations are continuing at the pool.”