The demolition of Whitchurch's old swimming pool is underway after senior councillors held a ceremony at the site marking the start of work to redevelop the site.

Councillors Peggy Mullock, Gerald Dakin and Tom Biggins were all at the pool, in White Lion Meadow, with Shropshire council leader Lezley Picton and director of place Mark Barrow, as well staff from developers Pellikaan, architects Roberts Limbrick and project managers in Alliance Leisure.

Bulldozers are on site and have started demolishing the old Whitchurch Swimming Centre, neighbouring youth hub and multi-sports area.

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Funded by Shropshire Council, the new centre will offer a six-lane 25m pool, a 41-station fitness suite, multi-function rooms and a café with 20 covers.

Cllr Mullock said: “It is great to see the old building finally being removed.

“We have waited many years to have a quality swimming pool, and we can now all look forward to seeing a fantastic new swimming and fitness centre for our residents to enjoy.”

Cllr Dakin added: “I am overjoyed with this development. It has been a team effort from the beginning.

“Shropshire Council has done wonders to get this off the ground.

“It will be an excellent facility for the town and surrounding areas, and I thank the team and supporters for all the effort put in for it to go ahead.”

Shropshire Council developed the £13.1m project after finding that a new centre would be the most viable and cost effective way to replace the previous facility.

It is anticipated the new centre will open in mid-2025 under the management of the Shropshire Community Leisure Trust and Serco on behalf of Shropshire Council.

Robert Macey, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture and digital, said: “It is exciting to see demolition starting on site.

“There has been so much work going on behind the scenes to get the project this far along, but now people will be able to see the progress for themselves.

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“It is truly a milestone for the project and I am delighted we have been able to share it.”

Julia Goddard, senior business development manager at Alliance Leisure, said: “It’s good to finally be on site with this project, and see all partners working together to bring the new facility to life.

“Our team is looking forward to seeing the centre develop over the coming months and delivering a first class health and wellbeing space for the community.”