A POPULAR diver training centre in Cromhall has closed for good.

Cromhall Diving Centre, located in Cromhall Quarry, announced that it would be closing ‘with immediate effect’.

Owners Simon and Maggie announced the closure on the centre's website.

They posted an open letter which reads: “Dear friends,

"For the quarry and our clients, 2020 has been a bad year with the floods at the start of the year followed by the tragedy of Covid-19 with lockdown preventing access to outdoor facilities.

"Sadly, while we were preparing to re-open, we have received some more bad news.

"We have received formal notice that means that the quarry will close with immediate effect and will not re-open.

"We are not aware of any future plans for the facility.

"Over the past 14 years, you have been wonderful people to be associated with and it has always been a great pleasure to see you enjoying the site and we will miss you all.

"Please, continue to dive and swim safely wherever you choose and we hope to see you on the surface at some time or another.”

The 9.5 acre facility, which has a maximum depth of 17m,a popular site for local scuba divers to practice for their open water qualifications.

The site, which has a maximum depth of 17m, and includes various sunken attractions, including an ex-Royal Navy gun shield, two shipping containers, and an aircraft cockpit, was a popular training location for local scuba divers.