WORK has started this week on a multi-million revamp of Halesowen Leisure Centre.

Contractors have moved in at the Pool Road site and the work – which includes improvements to the gym and a new children’s play area – is expected to take around 12 months.

The pool at Halesowen Leisure Centre has been covered over in preparation for the start of work

The pool at Halesowen Leisure Centre has been covered over in preparation for the start of work

It will also get a new look entrance and café.

There will be major changes to the swimming pool to cater for learner and advanced swimmers, while plans also include new ‘village style’ changing rooms and a pool-side viewing area.

Benches and lockers have been removed in early work to revamp the changing rooms at Halesowen Leisure Centre

Benches and lockers have been removed in early work to revamp the changing rooms at Halesowen Leisure Centre

It comes as revamp work continues at pace at Stourbridge's Crystal Leisure Centre and on the new multi-million pound leisure centre in Dudley town centre.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the Dudley Council, said: "It is fantastic to hear that work has started on the improvements at Halesowen Leisure Centre.

"Along with the ongoing works at Crystal and at the new site in Dudley, it reaffirms our commitment as a council to offer top-class leisure facilities for people in the borough to enjoy."

Work is well under way at Crystal Leisure Centre to demolish the existing changing rooms at the Bell Road site and replace them with more modern village style changing facilities, with work expected to be completed by mid July this year.

Work to build a new Dudley Leisure Centre also continues at pace and is on track to open early next year.

The new £18.2 million facility will include a 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and a teaching pool with spectator provision. There will be a four-court sports hall suitable for indoor football, badminton and more, a 100-station gym and fitness suite, two group exercise studios and a cycle studio, plus a sauna and power-assisted gym equipment for those recovering from injury, older customers and those living with long-term health conditions.

There will also be a soft play area with catering facilities and a party room, and a café open to all centre users.