Olympic swimmer Chris Cook has helped mark the official start of construction work on a new £31m leisure, business support and community facility in the heart of Redcar.

Willmott Dixon has been appointed to build the new complex, which has been designed by leisure specialists S&P Architects in collaboration with Plus Three Architecture.

A fitness suite and a junior gym will be among the facilities at the development, along with a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a training pool, a learning pool and a sports hall.

Elsewhere, the complex will house business space for small- to medium-sized enterprises; a debating chamber; and a new home for the local authority's registry office.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council mayor Olwyn Peters said: "The new leisure, business support and community facility in the heart of Redcar will create a real attraction for the town."

Willmott Dixon's Anthony Dillon added: "Our team have already done an immense amount of work behind the scenes in preparing the way for work to start on site."

Details: www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk