COUNCIL chiefs are pouring thousands more pounds into Clacton's controversial fountain in another attempt to overcome health and safety fears.

The £137,000 town square fountain had to be switched off after youngsters started playing in it, sparking safety concerns about the water quality.

It was turned back on last summer but only after Tendring Council put up makeshift fencing to stop children running into the water.

Now bosses hope the barriers can be scrapped after coming up with a hi-tech solution to meet health and safety rules.

Special sensors will be put in to automatically drop the level of the water jets when people get too close to the fountain.

Council cabinet spokesman Carlo Guglielmi said: “In the past week or so, tests have been carried out involving a new way in which we can operate the feature without the perimeter fencing - but also reducing the opportunity for water to be ingested, particularly by children.

“If the tests all prove successful we will be able to come up with a solution.”

The fountain opened in August 2007 as part of a £3.2 million town centre revamp.