AFTER years of uncertainty, work is finally set to start on re-opening the Droitwich Lido.

Seven years after it closed contractors moved on to the site yesterday, ready to transform the dilapidated pool and disused buildings into a 21st Century lido.

After five years of negotiations with two other contractors, Worcester firm Spicers is now on board and ready to go.

Contracts director, Richard Bentley, said work would start this week, with the area being made secure before the former indoor swimming pool is demolished to make way for a new car park.

He said there would be six weeks of design work before major works started and the outdoor pool was eventually lined with stainless steel.

The new £1.5m site, which will be run by Wychavon Leisure Community Association Ltd, will boast a heated saltwater pool, which will slope into a beach area, two wet play areas and terraced areas for sunbathing.

"The shop and coffee room will be refurbished, as will the changing rooms," Mr Bentley said. "We expect the project will be finished by March before the council sets up the management programmes, to manage and maintain it."

The site is expected to be open in time for the summer season of 2007, although work on a free wet play area started early to enable the site to be open to the public by the end of July.

Chairman of Wychavon, Councillor Jean Dowty, said: "It is very exciting and I should think that the people of Droitwich will be very happy to see something happening."

Leader of the council, Martin Jennings, added: "The talking has finished and the action has started.

"It's good to get the contractors on board, and this hideous set up as it is at the moment will be transformed into something which is worth having and worth looking at.

"We were very conscious that there has been a great deal of enthusiasm for this sort of facility over the years.

"At long last this will become a 21st Century Lido - although it will depend on the support of the local population, so the message is use it."