Construction work on a new £20m leisure centre in Berwick, Northumberland, is set to begin by the end of the year.

The centre will be built on the site of the current Swan Centre in Tweedmouth, with works scheduled to start in November.

Facilities at the facility – which will be owned by Northumberland County Council – will feature a five-lane, 25m swimming pool, a teaching pool and leisure pool and spa facilities.

There will also be a health club with fitness studios, sports hall, café and a sensory room.

Outdoor facilities include a full-size 3G football pitch, play park and trim trail.

The work will be carried out in phases to ensure that the existing Swan Centre continues to operate during the works.

The development, created by a team that includes consultant Henry Riley and GT3 Architects, is scheduled to be completed by July 2022.

When open, it will be operated by Active Northumberland, the charitable trust that manages leisure services across the county on behalf of the council.

Cath Homer, cabinet member for leisure at Northumberland County Council, said: “This will be a landmark facility and a leading example of seamlessly integrated leisure, health and social care.

“Not only will it be a fantastic resource for the local community but we want it to be a tourist destination attracting visitors from wider Northumberland, the Borders, South Scotland and beyond.

“We’re delighted to be able to move this flagship project forward as we look to increase the overall participation in sport, leisure and entertainment in Berwick and North Northumberland.”