Basildon must develop a sporting centre for south Essex irrespective of London securing the 2012 Olympic Games, according to the council chief spearheading the project.

Basildon Council's Tory cabinet member for leisure and open spaces, councillor Tony Hedley, said last night that plans to build a £22million complex with an Olympic-sized swimming pool in Gloucester Park are the "best option" to secure the future of sport in the district.

The project, set to include state-of-the-art health and medical centres, fitness and dance studios and cultural services, could be used as a training ground for Olympians in the event of a successful bid by the capital.

For more details, see today's Echo.

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