Bids from construction companies across Europe are being sought to build a new multi-million pound leisure centre in the Black Country.

The new £8.8 million leisure centre, including a 25-metre swimming pool, will be built to transform vacant land in Tipton.

It will also include a learner pool, gym, changing facilities and community room.

Once built the pool will replace the ageing Tipton Swimming Centre in Queens Road.

The tender for the construction of the centre, to be built on land at the junction of Alexandra Road and Thursfield Road, is now being advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The journal is the publication in which all tenders from the public sector which are valued above a certain figure, according to EU legislation, must be published. The Tipton project will be advertised in the journal until midday on January 24.

Sandwell Council’s cabinet member for jobs and economy, Councillor Ian Jones, said it marked an “important step forward” for the plans.

He said: “We look forward to receiving bids from construction companies who want to work with us to create a 21st century swimming complex that will replace the current ageing pool and serve the people of Tipton for the future.”

A landscaped urban piazza will be one of the features of the centre.

A first floor fitness suite will have 50 fitness stations and community space.

The room will open onto the piazza and have views of Workhouse Bridge.

Councillor Ann Shackleton added: “Providing quality leisure facilities is vital for helping people to stay active and well, and this new centre for Tipton will be a real boost for the local community.”

The pool is being built on part of the Little Burton estate in Tipton which was formerly occupied by housing.

By Lisa Wright