A SWIMMING pool is set to be built in Thame following the sale of land worth £7.2 million by the town council.

Town Mayor Don Butler launched the new swimming pool and health and fitness suite project at Thame's Sports and Arts Centre on Monday.

The 25-metre, five lane pool will be built at the existing sports centre on Oxford Road and should be open by August 2002.

Thame Town Council sold off its Pickenfield ground, which was used as a football pitch, to housing developer Wates Homes after South Oxfordshire District Council was unable to fund a new swimming complex.

Mr Butler said: "It has been in the pipeline for almost nine years and after many obstacles and problems along the way we are absolutely delighted that it is finally going ahead. A need for a pool in the area has been acknowledged since the 1940s and finally the people have got their wish. Before now the nearest pool was in Princes Risborough so no doubt everyone is over the new moon with our very own."

Up to £4 million will be used for the swimming pool and a further £1.3 million will be invested to fund the new two-storey health and fitness suite.

The project is one of the first in the country to use the Partnering Project Contract 2000 which sees all involved parties working together.

Contractor Wilmott Dixon Construction Ltd will work alongside Thame Town Council during the construction of the new facilities.

The remainder of the money made from the sale of the land is now set aside for other leisure projects.