Construction work has officially begun on the new £10m Ingleby Barwick Leisure Centre in Stockton-on-Tees.

Designed by Ellis Williams Architects as a modern “leisure hub”, the centre will include a 25m swimming pool, learner pool, a health club and group exercise studios, as well as a community access library and customer service point.

Scheduled to open by Q3 2019, the facility is being developed by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

When open, it will be operated by Tees Active Leisure, which already operates three centres in the area on behalf of the council.

“This investment in Ingleby Barwick is going to create a fantastic and much-needed facility for local people," said councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

“Ingleby Barwick has experienced huge growth over the years but lacks local public leisure facilities, particularly local access to a community swimming pool. The new centre will address that gap in provision.”