A CRUNCH decision over whether or not Worcester will get a new swimming pool is on track for this summer, it has emerged.

The city council's Labour leadership says it expects to be able to either agree a multi-million pound plan in June or scrap it altogether.

It has scotched rumours the project is becoming less and less likely by saying talks are still alive which could see a supermarket built at Perdiswell to help fund a new pool.

Your Worcester News can also reveal how a report could be published in April spelling out the options available to the council.

The council wants to demolish the current leisure centre in Perdiswell and build a new one on adjacent land by 2016.

Two options have been looked at, for either a £13.5 million eight-lane pool or a scaled down, six-lane facility costing £10.7 million.

Back in November the Labour leadership revealed it would concentrate on the six-lane version amid fears the bigger facility has an unaffordable £5.2 million funding gap.

But even that is thought to hinge on whether the council can secure what it calls "enabling development" from a third party, like a supermarket, to fund some of the costs.

Worcester City FC Supporters' Trust also wants Perdiswell to become home to a new stadium, sitting alongside the new centre.

Councillor Roger Berry, cabinet member for health and well-being, said: "Consultants are working on a detailed assessment of the site and we hope there might be a report available in April which will tell us our options.

"The intention is to take it to the council for a vote in June, it's on my agenda and we are still on schedule.

"Clearly, the revenue will be the deciding factor because as a council, we're being pressed to reduce our revenue budgets for the next couple of years.

"We also still want to accomodate the football club."

Under the proposals, once built the existing pool at Sansome Walk would be closed down, demolished and sold for development.

The existing Perdiswell leisure centre would also then close.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, city council leader, said: "We are still on track and hoping we can take it to council in June."