A preferred location has been decided for a proposed Gloucestershire leisure centre should Tewkesbury Borough Council go ahead with plans to replace an existing leisure centre built in 1969.

If approved, the new facility at Gloucestershire Road would likely include a 25m pool, 20m learning pool, fitness gym, dance studio, health suite and café.

The estimated cost of refurbishing the existing Cascades Leisure Centre, at Spring Gardens, is £3.8m.

Rebuilding on the current site was deemed unsuitable, as customers would be without a leisure centre while building took place, which is anticipated to take two years.

A new facility is forecast to save the council considerable money with energy efficient facilities that would generate more money.

The preferred location is deemed accessible, ideally located in relation to other leisure centres, the best value for money and meets the needs of current customers.

Tewkesbury councillor Claire Wright said: "The work carried out so far will ensure that we come up with the best option for our customers, and now that members have selected a preferred site, officers can carry out further research on the potential facility, including build costs and a business plan."