Upgrading and refurbishing York's three swimming pools could cost the city �8m.

The City of York Council has put that figure on "urgent work" needed at the Barbican, Edmund Wilson and Yearsley pools.

And in an effort to finance some of the work, the council put the Barbican site up for sale, and one developer has come forward with a plan deemed suitable for it.

This has come from Barbican Venture which envisages building 158 apartments, a �2.5m revamp of the existing auditorium, an eight-lane county-standard swimming pool with spectator facilities and a training pool, two hotels, a casino and a health suit and activity studio above the pool.

An eight-lane county standard pool is planned

The swimming facilities at the site would be owned by the council and allow both leisure and training use.

The sale and development of the Barbican site will net the city council �3m - enough cash to fully refurbish the Edmind Wilson pool.

A city-wide consultation on the future of the city's public pools will start in March.