Lapping it up Dogs take a dip as lido's humans-only rule is relaxed for one day

There is a moment of hesitation and she meets my eyes as though to check: is this really allowed? Then my dog dives - 24kg of fox red Labrador launching into Gourock outdoor pool to join the splashy tumult.

- Libby Brooks

Dogs of all shapes, sizes and swimming ability descended on the outdoor saltwater pool on Scotland's west coast yesterday for what has become an annual fixture. On the last day of the season, the strictly humans-only policy is relaxed for the Doggy Dip, so that canine companions can enjoy the heated waters with their owners.

And if Brèagha, my four-year-old family pet, is less interested in the panoramic views of the Clyde Estuary than the squeaky tennis balls bobbing in the water, she can be excused - it's fair to say most folk here, even the ones without tails, are just a wee bit overexcited.

The pool, which featured on the cover of Blur's 2023 album The Ballad of Darren, has been running the Doggy Dip since September 2019 and this year had to lay on extra sessions to meet demand.