A MAJOR upgrade of Dovercourt swimming pool is set to get underway in March.

The scheme, which will cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, will take around five months to complete.

Tendring Council’s planning committee approved the long awaited plans for the Dovercourt site in August.

The project will see new village-style changing rooms and the gym moved to the ground floor for disabled access.

There will also be a multi-purpose fitness studio created and an extension to the building with new front facade.

Tendring Council has now begun the tender process with six companies preparing proposals. These will be evaluated in the New Year.

Paul Honeywood, cabinet member for sports facilities, said: “The whole aim of this exercise is to be able to offer a truly first class facility at an affordable price for people living in that area."