An application has been submitted to Selby District Council, North Yorkshire, for the demolition of fire-damaged Abbey Leisure Centre, so construction can begin on a replacement.

The application, made by Bradshaw Gass & Hope of Manchester, was received on 20 December and is still pending consideration.

In November Selby District Council confirmed it would re-build the centre from scratch, rejecting alternative options to refurbish the existing building or use the site for a new purpose.

The new facilities are expected to take 30 months to complete and will include a 25m six-lane swimming pool.

The centre was devastated in the February fire, which happened not long after a £1m refit of facilities.

Initial indications suggested the rebuild would cost £9m but the council has asked officers to seek ways in which this cost can be significantly reduced.