A £31m new leisure centre being created for Redcar is beginning to take shape.

The centre, called Community Heart, is due to open next spring and is situated near the railway station.

Attractions, currently under construction, include swimming pools, a wave simulator, a cafe, a register officer, fitness suites and conference facilities.

It will create and safeguard about 260 jobs and provide a state-of-the-art place to get fit, have fun, do business, grab coffee and even get married.

In addition, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council chambers, the mayor’s parlour and small and medium sized business facilities will be located there.

Olwyn Peters, cabinet member for culture, leisure and tourism, said the scheme brings the total amount invested into the town’s redevelopment to more than £100m.

The vast majority of the funding is from external sources and the Community Heart is largely financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

Coun Peters said: “Investment of this scale and in the current economic climate is remarkable and puts us in a fantastic position for the anticipated recovery.

“In Redcar we have a superb civic centre that we believe will help drive the development of the entire borough for residents and visitors.”