A SENSE of anticipation is growing in Pewsey as work to build the new state-of-the-art Vale Health and Wellbeing Centre is just weeks away.

Wiltshire councillors flocked to the site of the new centre, where hoardings have gone up around the recently demolished old building.

John Thomson, cabinet member with responsibility for health and wellbeing centres, said: "The former leisure centre is now closed and the hoarding boards have gone up. Work to transform this building into a popular community hub will start soon. It will cater for all ages and provide a real focus for Pewsey.

"The vision for the new centre will soon become a reality and I’m very grateful for the hard work and involvement from the local community in shaping the facilities and plans so that when it opens in 2018 it will be a venue for the local area.”

The Vale Health and Wellbeing Centre will provide a new four-lane 25-metre swimming pool as well as fitness suite, café, community space and a range of other leisure facilities.

The facilities also include space for an indoor skate park, which complements the existing multi-use games area which is already available for bookings.

Coun Jerry Kunkler added: "There is a great deal of excitement about this development. The old leisure centre meant a lot to locals but this will be bigger and better than before."

The awarding of contracts will be announced this month with work beginning this spring. The new centre is scheduled to open in the summer of 2018.