WORK is taking place to demolish a former swimming pool which opened more than 50 years ago.

Bulldozers have begun work to tear down Belle Vue Swim Centre, which closed last summer when Consett Leisure Centre opened.

Durham County Council has said the site has been earmarked for housing to form part of the funding package required for the multi-million pound Consett Academy and leisure centre.

Workmen moved onto the site over the summer as preparation work took place and demolition has now started on the main buildings.

The centre first opened in 1962, designed by disgraced architect John Poulson, and housed gym and sauna facilities along with two pools, which were used by generations of the town’s swimmers as well as several Olympic medallists including David Wilkie and Jo Jackson.

The car park at the front of the site has been closed throughout the work as it is being used by demolition crews.

Durham County Council has said the car park will be reopened once work is complete, before a long-term use for the site is found.

A spokesman said: “We would like to thank the public for their patience while the work is carried out.”