A new hotel and swimming pool development in Sheringham has moved a step closer, with a leisure contractor being sought for the site from 2019.

North Norfolk's biggest sports and swimming centre, Splash in Sheringham, could be knocked down and rebuilt as part of an ambitious project to improve leisure provision in the district.

North Norfolk District Council wants to demolish the ageing building and construct an improved swimming pool, gym and associated facilities.

At a Cabinet meeting on Monday, June 5, members agreed to move to the next stage by entering into formal property negotiations to enable development for a new leisure centre on the site.

Councillors also approved recommendations that a sport and active leisure feasibility study be carried out for the new facility to replace Splash. and that a budget of £30,000 be provided from the general reserve to fund the work.

A further report will be received by Cabinet later this year to approve the business case for the construction of the new facility.

Maggie Prior, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: 'I'm extraordinarily pleased to see this moving along so smoothly. It will be a wonderful facility for Sheringham.'

Richard Shepherd, ward member for Sheringham South, said: 'I think the people of Sheringham are going to be mightily pleased that progress has been confirmed today.'

Council leader Tom Fitzpatrick added that the whole area would benefit from the scheme.

The proposed plan could see an £8m facility built by using a combination of long-term loans, Sport England funding and income from additional development on land next to Splash.

Splash is used by 160,000 people yearly, but is being subsidised by the council to the tune of 70p per user.

It is unlikely any new building will be completed before the council's current leisure contract with Places for People, which also covers Fakenham Sports and Fitness, and Victory Swim and Fitness Centre in North Walsham, ends on March 31, 2019.

The three council-owned leisure centres are all successful, with visits in 2016/17 totalling 462,000 and this has continually risen over the past four years.