Construction work has begun on the Witham Leisure Centre in Essex.

The £9.5m project is headed by Barr Construction and the facility - designed by Scott Brownrigg Architects - is due for completion in summer 2014. Once opened, the centre will be managed by Fusion Lifestyle.

Facilities will include a six lane, 25m pool, leaner pool with moveable floor, a health and fitness suite, two dance studios, sauna and steamroom and two squash courts.

Councillor Joanne Beavis, cabinet member for communities said: ?Over the next year, we hope to run a number of community focused initiatives, currently under discussion, to enable local residents, school children and sports groups to get involved and keep updated with the build stage over the next few months."