DEMOLITION of an ageing County Durham swimming pool which once trained Olympic champions will take place in the New Year.

The Belle Vue Swim Centre, in Consett, has been unused since July, when it closed its doors for the last time to make way for the town’s new swimming pool, part of a £44 million school and leisure development nearby.

The swim centre, which included gym and sauna facilities as well as two pools, opened in 1962 and was designed by disgraced architect John Poulson.

Over the years, several of the country’s best swimmers trained at the pool, including 1976 Olympic gold medal-winner David Wilkie, 1974 Commonwealth Games medallist Keith Walton and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist and former world record holder Jo Jackson, from Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Demolition work on the Ashdale Road site is due to start in March.

Keith Marston, repairs and maintenance manager at Durham County Council, said: “Preparations for the demolition of the former Belle Vue Swim Centre are being made, including a detailed condition survey.

“Demolition is expected to begin in March 2016 and is due to last for approximately 20 weeks.”

The swim centre car parks, currently used by parents dropping off children at several schools in the town centre, will be used by demolition contractors during the work.