British swimming has received a welcome boost with the announcement that grants from Sport England and the lottery heritage fund will go to pools.

Two major projects have been given the go ahead, with lottery money providing a major part of the funding.

Leeds City Council has learned that its request for £5m, to fund a brand new swimming complex at the South Leeds Stadium sporting complex, has been accepted.

The new development will function primarily as an elite training facility, and will feature a 50m pool and diving facility.

The new pool will replace the existing Leeds International Pool in the city centre. The proposal has had a mixed response from the local community, but ASA facilities officer, Noel Winter, said: "While the International Pool has served its purpose well, it is now reaching the end of its useful life and is outdated."

The second project, the refurbishment of Manchester’s Victoria Baths, (closed since 1993) has received a £3m grant from the heritage fund after BBC2 viewers voted it the most deserving cause for renovation work.