The names of the contractors who will build Thame's swimming pool and the investment people who will look after the money are being kept under wraps.

Both were appointed in a session of the town council behind closed doors.

Town clerk Pat Kingsnorth said: "We have been advised by our legal experts to keep the names confidential for the moment until the contracts have been signed.

"We will have a proper ceremony next month to let everyone know what is happening.

"But the important thing is that the appointments have been made.

"This will mean work will start this year on the pool that Thame people have wanted for more than 80 years."

The investment people will be involved in handling the £7.2m the town council made by selling the public open space of Pickenfield for housing to fund the pool.

Once the pool has been paid for, the remainder of the money will be invested.

Interest from it will fund the running of the pool and provide cash for other community facilities.

The swimming pool will be built alongside the sports and arts centre in Oxford Road. A new foyer will link both buildings, a new fitness suite is to be built and the present fitness suite will become a dance studio.