UP to 80 jobs are up for grabs when a revamped Gwent leisure centre re-opens this autumn.

Pontypool leisure centre closed in October 2004 and is undergoing a £6.5 million refurbishment.

This week leisure chiefs at Torfaen council launched a recruitment drive for a new staff team.

Around 112 full-time and part-time staff lost their jobs when the centre closed.

At the time the council called the situation "unfortunate" and said many of those involved were either re-deployed or found new jobs.

Now it has confirmed it expects some of those who lost their jobs to re-apply for the new vacancies, which include administrative, technical and fitness posts.

An opening date of June this year was originally scheduled but six months after work began that was moved back by the council to the autumn.

For more than 30 years Pontypool leisure centre was one of Gwent's top sports facilities but the start of the 1990s saw a serious decline in the fabric of the building.

At one stage councillors were forced to consider kicking a full-scale refurbishment into touch because of funding restrictions, before they resolved to plough £5.3 million of council money into the project.

A further £800,000 in regeneration cash from the National Assembly as well as cash from Sportlot enabled the council to realise a fully refurbished leisure centre.

Visitors will enjoy an improved pool with new hydroslides, a new caf and reception area, a new sports hall and fitness suite and modern changing facilities.

Councillor Bob Wellington, the leader of Torfaen council, said the revamped leisure centre would benefit the whole of the borough.

"The work on Pontypool Leisure centre is going very well. The recruitment and training of staff is a major step towards opening a revamped leisure centre."