SPADES are in the ground for a £65 million leisure park as work got underway this week.

Colchester Northern Gateway Leisure Park has already secured a 20-lane bowling alley from Hollywood Bowl and a Puttstars indoor golf centre.

Joining this at the exciting project will be Cineworld and a Travelodge with 90 rooms, while restaurants Wendy’s and Greggs will now each boast a drive-thru on the site.

The 200,000 sq ft leisure development is located within Colchester’s Northern Gateway, south of junction 28 of the A12.

Read more: When will Colchester's new £65million leisure complex be completed? - what we know

And work commenced on Wednesday as representatives met at the site to put spades in the ground for the project expected to be completed by autumn of next year.

Gazette:

Chris Goldsmith, of developer Turnstone Estates, said: “This is the largest leisure development of its kind currently being built in the country and today represents an important milestone not only for this project but all those involved.”

Colchester Council’s resources boss, Sue Lissimore added: “It’s fantastic to see work begin on the construction of the new Leisure Park at Northern Gateway.

“With so many popular food and leisure brands lined up to be part of this exciting enterprise, we look forward to seeing the project turn from vision to reality over the coming months.”