WORK began "in earnest" on a £15 million new school project after a Gwent leisure centre was demolished to make way for it.

Top officers from Torfaen council were on site last week putting together the details on a plan which will see Blaenavon getting a new state-of-the-art school and health centre.

It will be on the site formerly occupied by the town's now demolished leisure centre, controversially closed and demolished last year.

Last week architects and officers from the council and Torfaen Local Health Board met for the first time to discuss the project.

Blaenavon programme manager, Graham Screen, said: "Work on determining the best way to use the former Blaenavon Recreation Centre site has begun in earnest.

"A joint working party of architects, planners and surveyors have examined ground levels and have used detailed site survey information to help address access issues and to place the planned buildings in the best position for service delivery and access from the community.

"They have also identified what further work needs to be done to gain the necessary planning permissions.

"The results of the session will now be worked up into a draft master plan which will assist any future planning, design and consultation process."

It is expected the planning application will be submitted in late spring or early summer.

Leisure facilities planned for the development include a new school hall, fitness studio including a multi-gym, and a floodlit all-weather multi-use games area.

Other improvements for the town will include pitch improvements for local teams, and discussions with the Blaenavon Blues football club have already started.

Campaign group BLAST (Blaenavon Leisure and Swimming Troubleshooters) had fought to save the leisure centre, but admitted defeat in December when it was revealed legal action to stop the demolition was not within the group's means.

Now it is now backing a plan by Blaenavon town council to build a new pool elsewhere in the town.