Sport England is making a splash in Taunton - by helping to fund a project that will provide the county town with a public swimming pool fit for the 21st century.

The £1.2m scheme to upgrade the Borough Council's Station Road pool will see the 1970s baths transformed with cleaner and greener operating equipment, modern changing rooms and vastly improved facilities for people with disabilities.

The project has been made possible thanks to a £497,802 award from Sport England plus £770,000 of capital funding from the council and invaluable support from Tone Leisure, the company that operates the council's leisure facilities.

The upgrade will be the first major investment in the pool for years and it is due to be completed early next year - coinciding with the pool's 40th birthday.

Taunton's bid for the Sport England grant was one of 344 submitted nationally and is one of just 39 to be confirmed. The sum is believed to be one of the largest improvement fund grants being given out.

Other schemes to benefit include projects to improve sports pitches. Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: "As the research shows people have a better experience of sport when the facilities are good both on and off the pitch. These investments on artificial grass pitches and swimming pool changing rooms will have a big impact on sport in local communities."

The refurbishment will be considerable with the ageing pool plant machinery replaced, the pool hall redesigned, including areas of retiling, and the changing rooms given a complete overhaul.

The plans are to change the single sex changing rooms into one village changing area in line with modern pools. This will provide greater space for more changing facilities. Village changing is recommended by Sport England as good practice as they support greater participation by families, single parents, disabled groups and other groups.

The changing facilities will consist of lockable private cubicles that will cater for single swimmers and larger lockable private cubicles to cater for families, those with disabilities and their carers.

"People will see such a difference once the work is complete," said Cllr Herbert of Taunton Borough Council.

"The refurbished pool will be far more energy efficient and swimmer-friendly. The pool has done sterling service since it opened in 1974 but it's showing its age and needs more than a facelift."

The pool will have to close temporarily due to the magnitude of the work that will be carried out. Pool users will be kept up to date with the planned programme and advised of alternative swimming facilities, including the public pool in nearby Wellington. The St James Street pool will not be affected. Tone Leisure and the Council will work closely to ensure that the public are aware and informed throughout.