BIG changes to greatly improve Bromsgrove's leisure centre are all set to begin.

Last week district council planners gave the green light to major proposals to refurbish the Dolphin Centre in School Drive after receiving support from local residents.

Councillor Brian Taylor, (Con-Alvechurch) and the cabinet member responsible for leisure, said: "It is now all systems go to give sports people in Bromsgrove a new-look, more user-friendly and better equipped centre.

"The proposals are exciting and dynamic and were put on display throughout the district to gauge public opinion. We have listened to what local people have said and are happy that our plans should go ahead. They were well supported."

Full planning permission has been granted to the first phase of an extensive £700,000 improvement package - the largest and most comprehensive since the leisure centre opened in May 1966.

The initial work will give the centre a side extension to create a new reception area, with improved access, especially for the disabled and families with young children. From the new unit all the main facilities will be accessible from one level, including the updated changing rooms.

A lift will give access to other facilities and the areas surrounding both pools will be retiled and the flume taken away.

In the second phase of the programme, scheduled for next year, the present changing and reception areas will be refurbished to become an improved health and fitness suite, which will also include facilities for the disabled. A bar will, for the first time, be included and catering facilities improved.