WORKS to improve the town's leisure centre are set to begin this summer.

Cabinet agreed to the more than £1million investment in Penarth Leisure Centre in September.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council has now selected a preferred consultant to finalise the design and manage the project which will see the wet and dry changing rooms at Penarth Leisure Centre in Andrew Road upgraded.

The report presented to cabinet said the changing rooms are in "poor condition" and have not been upgraded since the centre first opened.

The plans would also include unisex facilities as well some male and female only cubicles.

A total of £726,000 will be spent on the wet changing area and £296,000 on the dry area.

The council's leisure management partner Legacy Leisure are responsible for the day to day up keep of the centre with the Vale council responsible for its maintenance.

A consultation with customers, leisure centre operator Legacy Leisure and the wider public has been completed

Cllr Gwyn John, cabinet member for visible, leisure and regulatory services, said: "The refurbishments will see the current changing rooms converted into a modern changing village, with individual cubicles as well as family and group changing rooms.

"They will be built to Sport Wales standards and, as well as being considerably brighter, will also have improved ventilation systems."

Construction will start this summer and should be completed by the end of 2018.

The leisure centres will remain open throughout.