Slough Community Leisure is to start work in April converting the existing Slough Tennis Centre into a new £1.6m ten-pin bowling centre.

Due for completion by the end of the summer, the new facility will boast 18 bowling lanes, gaming machines, pool tables and a café/bar.

The project is being funded and managed by Alliance Leisure. It was designed by Bignell Shacklady Ewing and building work will be carried out by WFC Ltd.

Greg Sinclair, commercial director for Slough Community Leisure, said: "The leisure trust has taken the decision not to bid for other contracts, but instead to look within our own estate at how we can expand our services outside of traditional health and fitness.

"As well as an express gym and health, fitness and leisure facilities, our estate already includes ice skating and go-karting, so adding ten-pin bowling to the mix is a natural progression, which is supported by Slough Borough Council as there are no other ten-pin bowling alleys in the area."

The centre will be retaining its outdoor tennis provision - the existing eight floodlit tennis courts are to be refurbished - and to make up for the loss of indoor tennis facilities, plans are being drawn up to add two new indoor courts at Thames Valley Athletics Centre.