A million-pound swimming pool could be built at Blackbird Leys if a new cash bid succeeds.

Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire Health Authority want a 'Healthy Living Centre' for the estate. They hope to get money from the Lottery sports fund and the New Opportunities fund.

If the scheme, which must be in an area of economic and social need, attracts money from the New Opportunities fund it will be a test project. All the building costs could come from outside bodies, although there would have to be some council investment.

City leisure chiefs told the leisure committee that building a pool with full disabled access and facilities like spa baths and slides would cost at least £1m.

Tricia Ormiston-Kilsby, director of leisure, said: "The city council will need to demonstrate commitment to the project with some funding. If we want to be one of the pilot projects - and in my view we do - it is important that we work together to bring it to pass."

She added that a Healthy Living Centre was more than just a building and involved working with all members of the community to improve health in many different ways.

Committee chairman Robert Evans said: "This pilot project will get funded virtually automatically in Blackbird Leys - and this will benefit Oxford city."

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