WORK on Worcester's new £10.4 million swimming pool has officially got underway - signalling the start of a long-awaited transformation.

A sod-cutting ceremony took place at Perdiswell Leisure Centre today to mark the launch of the big eight-lane pool project.

After months of planning it means workers can now start the massive overhaul which will bring competition-level swimming to the city for the first time.

Councillor Roger Knight, the Mayor of Worcester, said: "It’s fantastic that after all the work, consultation and planning which has gone on behind the scenes we’ve finally reached the point where aspirations for Worcester’s new swimming pool have become a reality.

"It will be a great asset for the city, helping residents and visitors learn a life-saving skill, have fun and stay fit."

Des O’Neill, the managing director at Speller Metcalfe, which is doing the construction, work, said: "This moves us a step closer to delivering high quality leisure facilities for Worcester, enabling local residents and those from further afield to train and compete at the highest level in the new pool and centre facilities.

"Speller Metcalfe is excited to be a part of this new development, particularly because as a local building contractor the project will enable us to provide local employment opportunities for suppliers and sub-contractors in the region."

The city's new swimming pool project includes a major refurbishment of the existing leisure centre including new fitness studios, a 120-station gym, a fully refurbished sports hall, cafe and enhanced wheelchair access.

The new eight-lane pool will be contained in a new extension of the site, with its vast size meaning competition-level swimmers no longer have to travel to areas like Wolverhampton or Gloucester.

Once it is ready to open some time in 2017 the current crumbling Sansome Walk facility will be closed down and then demolished.

Council bosses are hoping to keep Perdiswell Leisure Centre open for the duration of the work, making serious efforts to keep the current facilities running as normal.

That includes washing the wheels of cars as they leave the parking areas, to avoid the mud they will pick up spreading outside.