PLANS are progressing to transform a leisure centre - thanks to a £2m donation - which is set to benefit the community for years to come.

On Tuesday, Barrow and Furness MP Simon Fell chaired a GSK Taskforce meeting to hear updates on plans to improve Ulverston’s Leisure Centre.

Finer details about the project are still under wraps as the plans are still yet to go through consultation and gain approval from the Cabinet.

Talks of improving the Priory Road-based leisure centre have been in the pipeline for a number of years.

In 2018, pharmaceutical giant GSK confirmed they would contribute £2m to develop the sports centre.

Dave Webster, Ulverston Town Councillor, said the project would help improve the wellbeing of the town 'immensely'.

He said: "It's very much in the pipeline at the present.

"We've got a meeting on December 13 about the project but it is still in the financial stages at present and there may be a phased development.

"Plans to improve the leisure centre is something which has been going on for years.

"Calls have been made to upgrade the centre for a while. The pool itself is old and needs replacing.

"This project would mean revamping the football pitches, tennis courts, bowling green, the hockey pitch and more. It's an ongoing development which is still yet to go through consultation.

"It would help improve the health and wellbeing of the town immensely.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully seeing the first parts of the project done. It's been a long time coming so I'm glad to see some progress being made.

"It would be great for the town."

Simon Fell, MP for Barrow and Furness, said the project would 'leave a lasting legacy' for Ulverston and its residents.

He said: "We can expect to see significant investment at the Priory Road site, with improvements in sporting facilities across the board that will benefit schools, teams and the wider community.

"Delivering this would utilise the £2 million donation from GSK and leave a lasting legacy for Ulverston."