Rolls Royce mystery forces Plymouth Tinside Lido closure

A Devon seafront lido has been closed to swimmers to allow a Rolls Royce car to go for a dip.

Rolls Royce placed one of its cars in the water at Tinside Lido, on Plymouth Hoe, as part of what the car manufacturer said was an “exciting global moment”, adding that more details would be released soon.

Crowds gathered on Hoe Road, which overlooks the pool, where they could see a black Rolls Royce with a silver bonnet on a submerged plinth in the water with a film crew around the outside of the lido.

Plymouth City Council apologised to people keen to swim in temperatures forecast to go above 20C (68F) but explained that it was “a unique and exciting opportunity to showcase Plymouth”.

Among those watching was Doug Cooper who said his wife had been hoping to go for a swim.

He said he thought the situation was “a bit of fun and not a problem”.

He added: “It might have disrupted some people’s plans but, at the end of the day, I think it’s brilliant.”

Dana Stallard said she swam in the lido every weekend when she was growing up in Plymouth and thought what was happening was “wonderful” for the city.

“I think it brings holidaymakers down and everybody’s out looking at it so it’s nice to see what’s going on,” she added.