Plans have been approved for a £8m leisure centre in Sandwell, West Bromwich.

The plans, which are part of a new five-year blueprint to improve sport and leisure facilities in the borough, include a 25m pool, water cannon, flumes and a diving pool with a moveable floor. Under used centres at nearby Tipton and Oldbury will be closed to make way for the new and improved facilities.

It would be throwing good money after bad to attempt to improve the facilities proposed for closure and the strategy as a whole will mean that people will be able to use better facilities elsewhere, said Cllr Linda Horton, cabinet member for youth and cultural services. Inspectors concluded that the sport in Sandwell needs a thorough shake-up to give local people the facilities they deserve.

A bid for lottery money is being developed, and the centre is set to open by 2006 at the earliest.