A £14m project to refurbish Tollcross Swimming Centre has been completed, two years after work was started.

The international centre, which is located in Glasgow's East End, will be used during next year's Commonwealth Games.

The scheme saw the construction of a new six-lane 50m warm up swimming pool, as well as a 10-lane 50m competition pool to make the venue one of the largest in Europe.

As well as training elite swimmers and hosting competitions, the venue will also operate as a community sports facility. Additional work on the project included the creation of a new community facility to replace the fire-damaged Shettleston Burgh Halls, plus the refurbishment of the existing Tollcross Leisure Centre.

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A further 1,000 seats were added to the current 1,000 in place before the redevelopment, while an extra 3,000 temporary seats will be in place during the Games.

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said: "The people of Glasgow will soon have a fantastic leisure and community facility, one that will be used during the Games next summer when we will welcome some of the greatest swimmers on earth to this venue.

"Tollcross International Swimming Centre is one of the finest aquatic facilities in Europe, and will be a great place to swim and spectate during the Games. The success of the refurbishment has delivered a facility that will play a key role in the development of swimming programmes for schools and the public, provide more dedicated opportunities for elite training and host competitions of the highest standard."

Tollcross International Swimming Centre will open to the public on 24 May.

(JP/CD)