Plans for an £11m replacement leisure centre in Washington have been given the go ahead by Sunderland City Council.

Facilities are expected to include a six-lane 25m pool and learner pool; a four-court sports hall; an additional multi-purpose hall; two glass-backed squash courts; sauna and steam rooms; a wellness centre with a 100-station gym, separate indoor cycling facility and exercise studio; a two-level soft play area and six external 3G small-sided football pitches.

The new venue will be built next to the existing Washington Leisure Centre, which will remain open until the new one is ready. The old centre will be demolished once the new facility is open, allowing work to start on the new car park and outdoor pitches.

Funding for the centre was first announced as part of the city council's £60m capital programme earlier this year.

Work on the project - to be carried out by Pellikaan Construction - is expected to start in the new year, with an opening date scheduled for 2015.