Construction work has begun on a new £5.7m public swimming pool and leisure centre in Billingshurst, West Sussex.

Facilities at the new centre will include a 25m, four-lane pool with a movable floor and a new health and fitness suite.

The new pool building will link with the existing Weald Recreation Centre in Station Road, creating a new Billingshurst Leisure Centre.

Brian Donnelly, cabinet member for leisure and health at Horsham District Council said, “The completion of this project will provide an indoor swimming opportunity for the vast majority of Horsham District residents within a ten minute drive time and will go a major way to tackling obesity in both young and old.”

A large proportion of the funding for the project has been made up of housing developer contributions from new homes built in Billingshurst in recent years.

A further £680,000 has also been awarded to the project from the National Lottery’s Sport England Community Investment Fund. The remainder of the cost will be made up by Horsham District Council.

Lisa O'Keefe, regional director, Sport England South East, said: "Sport England invests in projects which can demonstrate the capacity and commitment to boosting the number of opportunities for people to take part in sport.

"Swimming is an inclusive activity giving people of all ages and abilities the opportunity for physical activity."