FAMILIES will be looking to fill up their paddling pools this summer - but how much does it cost?
There's nothing like spending time outdoors and splashing about with the kids as temperatures hot up.
But the cost of living remains high and families might be worried about the cost of filling their paddling pool up.
If you're in two minds about whether to drag yours out of the back of your shed, here's all you need to know.
How much does it cost to fill up a paddling pool?
Two main factors affect how much it will cost to fill up your paddling pool - the size and the way you pay your water bill.
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If you are on an unmetered contract it won't cost you anything extra to fill.
This is because your bill is not based on how much water you use - it is based on a standard charge which is already agreed with your provider.
But if you are on a water meter, things could get expensive.
Swimming pools come in a range of sizes, but the smallest standard size is usually 6ft wide - enough room to fit three to four kids in.
These sized pools can hold up to 3,000 litres of water. But how much does it cost to fill up one this size?
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert from comparison site Uswitch, said: "If you’re on a water meter, the cost you pay per litre has gone up by around 20% in the last four years.
"Filling up a large paddling pool that holds around 3,000 litres of water would cost you nearly £12, making it more expensive than you might think."
That means if you filled up the pool once a week for the six weeks school holidays it could end up costing you around £72.
An 8ft paddling pool or a 10ft pool - room enough for the whole family to fit in - will cost you even more.
Ben added: "Be sure to check how much water your paddling pool holds before taking the plunge and filling it to the brim.
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“Don’t let the paddling pool water go to waste either – you can use it to water your garden plants or even wash your car.”
How can I cut the cost of my paddling pool?
You can lower costs by buying sterilising fluid or using a filter - which means you don’t have to keep filling your pool up.
Sterilising fluid can be picked up for as little as £1.50 from Sainsbury's - and will help stop the growth of bacteria and algae.
Or you could get a filter that you place into your pool - when we checked prices online at Amazon, we found the cheapest ones would cost around £19 when factoring in the delivery charge.
You should always shop around to find the best price.
Some recommend using a chlorine float with a tablet, which just sits in the pool and gets to work.
However, you should be careful as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it's "not safe to use bleach or pool disinfectant (chlorine or bromine) in the water in small inflatable or plastic kiddie pools and water slides".
What is a water meter and could I save on my bill?
If you are on a water meter you don't pay a fixed amount.
That means if you reduce your water consumption you can lower your bill.
The Consumer Council for Water (CCW) has a tool that can help you calculate how much money you could save if you decide to switch.
But having a water meter can mean you pay more if your usage increases.
Martin Lewis recommends a simple check to make to see if you could save or not with a water meter.
If you've got more or the same number of bedrooms as people in your home, switching to a meter could save you money.
That's because households without a meter are charged in line with the value of their property.
But if, for example, just two of you live in a four bedroom house, you're probably being charged more than you actually use.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
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