Eric Wright has won the job to build a £13.5m sports and swimming complex in Blackburn’s town centre.

The new aquatic centre which will replace the ageing Waves Water fun facility.

The joint project with Blackburn College will include a six lane, 25-metre pool, fitness centre and dance studio and two four-court sports halls.

The sports halls, fitness and squash areas will be ready for use by students and the public by September 2014 and the swimming pools will open in early 2015.

Eric Wright will start work within the next few weeks at on a brown field site, cleared of the existing college building and currently used as temporary car parking.

Then 26-year-old Waves centre will now be demolished and the site sold for development by the council.