PLANS for a £400,000 overhaul of a popular leisure facility in Thirsk have won local support.

Hambleton District Council is leading a scheme to develop the Thirsk Swimming Pool site.

It is planned to turn the facility's existing gym into a studio and meeting room. It will be replaced by a larger gym area.

Changing facilities for the dry activities will be created at the pool site in Chapel Street.

But although the district council owns the site, it is run by the Thirsk and Sowerby Swimming Baths Charity.

The charity, which draws its members from local groups such as Sowerby Parish Council, has backed the scheme.

Councillor Mark Robson, charity member and chairman of the parish council, feels the work is beneficial.

He said: "Even though we have a very good facility there already, there was a concern with the dry side of the site.

"This was a good opportunity to improve the site of the swimming pool for the people of Thirsk, Sowerby and surrounding areas."

Neville Huxtable, chairman of the charity, said: "We are delighted with these proposals from the district council.

"The new gym and studio will help greatly in improving the health of people in the Thirsk area."

A swimming pool has existed on the site for many years.

The current complex is 15 years old.

About 175,000 users annually visit the swimming pool and gym facility.

The larger gym will cater for an increase in members who have joined over recent months.

The studio area will be available for use in exercise classes and birthday parties.

The proposals will be submitted to the district council to seek planning approval.

If approval is granted, work is expected to start in the spring.

The use of the pool will be unaffected and the gym should remain open while the new facility is built.

A district council spokesman said: "We hope the work will mean a minimal amount of disruption to customers.