Green fingered National Lottery winners with £16 million in the bank have spent the day restoring an historic lido its 'breathtaking' former glory.<br /><br />Ilkley Lido in West Yorks is regarded as one of the best open-air pools in the country, but its grassland surroundings have been left looking 'threadbare' in recent years.<br /><br />But thanks to a team of lottery winners, it has now been transformed into an eye-catching spectacle of colour and glorious flower blooms.<br /><br />They spent the day building planter boxes to line the driveway from the café to the Lido and filling them with colourful flowers.<br /><br />Inspired by a photograph of the Lido from the 1930s, they also installed hanging baskets to put on display around the café area to recreate the scene.<br /><br />Duty officer Jodie King from the outdoor pool described the difference as 'breathtaking'.<br /><br />The Lido, which was built in 1935, is one of only 127 Lidos remaining in England and can attract up to 4,000 visitors a day during the busy summer months.<br /><br />The 46 metre-wide, mushroom-shaped unheated pool boasts views of the famous Ilkley Moors.<br /><br />The lido, with the changing rooms and cafe on its grounds, is a grade II listed building, noted for its unusual timber-framed vernacular style.<br /><br />Jodie added: "A lot of our older generation customers will have seen it when we had the flowers so it will be a great link to their childhood.<br /><br />"And it will breathe more life into the environment for the younger generation.<br /><br />"It's just a splash of colour but it makes a world of difference."<br /><br />Sarah and Aldan Ibbetson, from nearby Leeds, were among those helping out with the restoration as they were regular visitors when their children were younger.<br /><br />Bradford councillor Sarah Ferriby: “It will certainly be a very special and 'colourful' welcome this 2023 season."<br /><br />The Lido was designed by Archibald Skinner, the town's surveyor and water engineer at the time.<br /><br />It opened in May 1935, as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations for King George V. <br /><br />It has remained open between May and September every year since.<br /><br />Joining Sarah, Aldan and Elaine on the project were: <br /><br />Gary Henry, from County Durham, who won £4.4M in 2008.<br /><br />Susan and Michael Crossland, from Mirfield, who won £1.2M in 2008.<br /><br />Trish Emson and Graham Norton, from Rotherham, who won £1.7M in 2003.<br /><br />Elaine and Rob Leason, from East Riding of Yorkshire, who scooped a £1.4M share of an £18.2M syndicate win in 2005.<br /><br />Alex Best, from Leeds, who won £1M in 2018.<br /><br />Margaret Storey, from Baildon, who won £1.4M in 1998.<br /><br />Darren and Kate Donaghey, from Newcastle, won £1M in 2018.
