The College Ystrad Mynach has revealed plans for the development of a new £20m leisure and teaching centre, which is to be made available to students and the local community.

Bristol-based architects AWW are behind the design of the new facility, which will replace the South Wales college's existing S block - currently used for general education studies.

A full-size sports hall; an eight-lane, 25m swimming pool; a learner pool; and a gym are to be included as part of the complex, along with a beauty spa and a café.

The upper floors of the new facility will house teaching and learning spaces for the college and an aeroplane fuselage will occupy the atrium area for use by air cabin crew students.

Plans are expected to be submitted to Caerphilly County Borough Council next month and it is intended that the complex will be completed ahead of the September intake in 2013.

The college is hoping to receive support from the Welsh Assembly Government, European Union and the National Lottery to complement funding provided by itself.

Paul Martin, the college's deputy principal responsible for planning and finance, said: "In the day, the pool will be open for local schools to use for their lessons and then in the evening, the majority of the sports facilities will be available for the public.

"Our sports programmes at the college have been growing for a number of years and the facilities we have for the students are simply out of date."