PROGRESS on Worcester's new £10.4 million swimming pool is powering ahead - with a contractor about to be appointed to start building it.

The city council's Conservative leadership is meeting next Tuesday where it will be asked to approve a mystery partner which will be tasked with starting work.

The construction project is expected to kick off towards the end of this year, with Perdiswell Leisure Centre staying open while workers build around it.

The eight-lane swimming pool is on track to open at the start of 2017, as well as a major refurbishment of the rest of the complex.

Councillor Mike Johnson, the cabinet member for sport, leisure and retail, said: "Subject to cabinet approval, this major milestone in the project will mean that in a matter of weeks Worcester’s new swimming pool will begin to be built.

"It’s fantastic that we’ve finally reached the point where our aspirations for a top class sporting facility for this city are to become a reality."

The proposed complex will boast an eight-lane, 25-metre main pool with seating for 250 spectators.

It will host regional competitions but will also be suitable for swimmers of all abilities, with a depth ranging from one to two metres.

There will also be a learner pool with a moveable floor, suitable for everyone from toddlers to pensioners.

A state-of-the-art pool side 'pod' will be included, acting as a self-service lift which ensures access to the water regardless of mobility.

Access to the new gym and spin studio will be further enhanced by the replacement of the original single lift with two wheelchair friendly platform lifts.

The revamped Perdiswell complex will also boast fitness studios, 120 gym stations, a café and a fully refurbished sports hall.

As your Worcester News revealed last year, the existing swimming pool at Sansome Walk will continue to operate until the new Perdiswell facility is completed, and it will then be demolished.

The city council says that for "commercial reasons" and legal restrictions, it will not be able to name the contractor until early October.

The grand project was awarded planning permission back in May.