Swindon is bidding for national venue status, with a £65m arena planned for the Oasis Leisure Centre site. Plans have now gone on show for the public to give their views and planning permission is being sought.

The project, led by developers Moirai Capital Investment, will result in some improvements at the 36-year-old swimming pool, as well as transforming a former factory site opposite into an arena, ski slope and leisure-related retail.

The arena was initially going to contain 5,000 seats, but it has since been decided to increase capacity to 7,500, which would make it the second biggest venue in the south, behind the 20,000-seat O2 Arena in London.

Swindon Council's cabinet member for leisure, Cllr Keith Williams, said: "It's going to be one of the great venues. People will come for weekends to see the great acts here and also bring benefits for the hotels and knock-on benefits for the economy."