Refurbishment work is to commence to improve the facilities at Spennymoor Leisure Centre in Durham.

The council will also be developing a new library within the building, from Monday 21 November.

The work aims to improve the physical and mental health of residents, helping them to live long and independent lives, and to provide long-term benefits to the community.

It follows consultation on proposals for both the leisure centre and the town's library last year.

The work will include the following:

• Moving the reception area to a centralised location within the building to allow easier access from the town centre.

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• Relocation of the town's existing library into the leisure centre building. This will be a new space in the former café area.

• Upgrading the pool space to add even more fun and interaction. The centre's popular slide and waves feature will remain as they are.

• A new soft play facility to encourage children to be more active from an early age. This will include the opening of a new café serving healthy food and drinks within the new play space.

The work will be carried out in three phases. Phase one includes work on the new reception area, foyer and library space.

It is expected that the leisure centre will remain accessible for most activities during this phase, although there may be some minor disruption such as a change in where they take place. However due to its location, the multi-sensory room will need to close while work is taking place in that area of the centre. The existing library, on Cheapside, will remain open until the new facility is ready.

Phases two and three include works in the swimming pool and sports hall areas and are scheduled to take place in summer 2023. Both of these phases are likely to include some closures and updates will be provided in due course.