A £3.5 million complex, housing sports facilities and a day care centre, could soon be built in Abertillery.

Blaenau Gwent council has received "in principle" approval from the Sports Council of Wales for the flagship sports and social services complex, which would replace the town's aging leisure centre.

Detailed plans are being submitted to Sportlot for funding and, if approved, work on the centre could be complete by the end of next year.

The complex would be at the existing Tillery Court day centre - next to Abertillery Comprehensive - and it would encompass a replacement day care centre for people with learning disabilities.

The design of the sports centre is two storey and would comprise a 25m five-lane swimming pool, a learner pool, a sports hall with multi-court, a dance studio, a lifestyle studio, free weights room and squash courts.

First class spectator facilities have also been incorporated into the design, with tiered seating for around 100 spectators.

Councillor Nigel Daniels, executive member for leisure services, said it would offer the best in sports, fitness and recreation facilities, and develop the campus as a centre for recreation, education and social services.

"All the users would benefit from the latest in sports and social care provision," he said. "In addition to user facilities, a 21st century competition arena for a host of sporting disciplines, including swimming, netball or roller hockey, would be an added dimension to the centre."

It is planned the complex would also have a CCTV surveillance system, a wheelchair parking area and dedicated mini-bus drop off points. The existing Abertillery leisure centre would be demolished once the new complex was complete.

The planned social services day care centre would be on the ground-level and facilities would include a treatment room, living room and a dining room and a garden would also be developed.

Councillor Karen Williams, executive member for social services, added: "We are keen to see this joint project come to fruition. The capabilities of the proposed day care centre are far in excess of the existing provision."

Pupils at the nearby Abertillery Comprehensive are supporting the plan. Gymnast Maria Shroll, 15, said: "More pupils would continue to use it after they left school and in the evenings."