The city council wants to build an Olympic-standard pool

Representatives of the council, the university and local MP Linda Gilroy met Sports Minister Richard Caborn in London on Wednesday.

The group emphasised plans to redevelop Central Park.

The city council wants to replace the swimming pool with a new multi-million pound leisure complex featuring an Olympic-standard 50m swimming pool.

The council and the University of Plymouth have put together a bid for funding to build the centre, which would cost £20m to £30m and include a 12-court badminton hall and gymnasium.

It would be the only public pool of its size in the South West and would put the city a strong position to cater for international competitors if the bid to host the 2012 Olympics in London is successful.