COUNCILLORS have approved plans to replace an outdated leisure centre with modern facilities.

Bulmershe Leisure Centre in Woodley will be replaced with a new state of the art centre following an Executive meeting of Wokingham Borough Council.

Proposals include a sports hall, 25m six-lane swimming pool and a café following a public consultation in 2016.

Councillor Norman Jorgensen, executive member for sports said: “I am pleased that we have decided to build this new leisure centre, which will be a great improvement over the current facility.

“I would like to thank the local members and those other residents who participated in the consultation last year for their support and encouragement.”

Bulmershe Leisure Centre was refurbished in 2014 after investment from the borough council and 1-Life.

However, the council also promised to look at future plans for leisure in Woodley.

A council spokesman said: "The centre was built in the 1970s and its facilities are tired and in need of investment to bring it up to a better standard to help the council support its vision to create a great place to live, an even better place to do business and the borough-wide health and wellbeing strategy.

"The new leisure centre would benefit The Bulmershe School and the local community, including young people, families and the elderly population.

"It would also help increase physical activity in the Woodley and surrounding area including Earley as well as help those with long-term health conditions."