Construction work on the Broughton Astley Leisure Centre in Leicestershire is set to begin in February 2019, following the appointment of a contractor for the project.

The centre is being developed by Parkwood Leisure, which has appointed Speller Metcalfe to build the £3.6m facility.

Designed by Watson Batty Architects, facilities at the new Broughton Astley Leisure Centre will include a four-court sports hall, floodlit outdoor 3G pitch and a health club with a 70-station gym floor and two group exercise studios.

There will also be a café and an outdoor play area.

Local residents have campaigned for a new centre for nearly three decades and the plans for the facility were finally added to a neighbourhood plan in 2014.

“This is a long sought after development for the residents of Broughton Astley," said Rob Lashford, Speller Metcalfe's regional director.

"As well as the obvious benefits to the local community, the project will also provide work for local employers throughout the build, as well as longer-term job opportunities once the centre opens."