PLANS for a water park in a seaside town have won the backing of swimming bosses.

Sam Greetham, director of British swimming and president and coach of Scarborough Swimming Club, said the proposed 5,000sq m pool complex will help to attract international competition to the resort.

The pool is part of the £120m Sands development planned for Scarborough's North Bay.

It would replace the Atlantis water park with a combination of whirlpool rides and indoor and outdoor lounging areas.

There will also be an eight-lane pool with spectator seating and a special floating floor to allow the depth to be varied.

Mr Greetham said: "The new swimming pool offers more facilities for local people than the existing pool, which is no longer able to meet its obligation to the community.

"The new pool is wider and offers the advantage of a leisure facility combined with a serious training and competition pool.

"It will help to attract good, international competition to Scarborough.

"It will bring hundreds and thousands of visitors to the town and will be another jewel in Scarborough's crown as a tourist destination."

The first phase of the Sands development was recently submitted to Scarborough Borough Council for detailed planning permission.

If approved, it will see 100 private apartments built on the Corner Cafe site along with bars, restaurants and shopping outlets.

The development will also include beachside facilities, management centre, a lifeguard station and beach huts.