A WORCESTER leisure centre is up for an honour at a prestigious awards ceremony dubbed the 'property Oscars'.

The centre, home to the city's brand new £10.5 million, competition standard swimming pool, has been shortlisted in the 'community benefit' category at the upcoming 2017 West Midlands RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards.

The new-look leisure centre opened earlier this year to much fanfare, with swimmers queuing outside on opening day eager to be one of the first to enjoy the new pool.

The project was led by Worcester City Council, with funding coming from a mixture of sources includes a £2 million Sport England grant, a contribution from the Heart of Worcestershire College, cash from the sale of the council's old Orchard House HQ and borrowing.

The leisure centre will be going up against projects including the Swan Wing at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, in Stratford, and the Remembrance Centre at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire, when the awards take place at Edgbaston Stadium, in Birmingham, on Thursday, May 18.

The community benefit category is one of eight in total, with the winner of each being put forward for the overall Project of the Year title, awarded for outstanding best practice and exemplary commitment to adding value to its local area.

Last year saw Birmingham New Street Station and Grand Central take the title, then going on to win the national title at the grand finals held in October.

Chairman of the West Midlands judging panel, Gurdip Chamba, said “Last year I was extremely proud to see our region take home the overall title of national project of the year and this was only the beginning of things to come for our region.

"The West Midlands is regenerating itself into the place we all love and this year's projects continue to showcase the talent behind the future of our built environment.

"There is an exceptional calibre of projects this year and I look forward to celebrating their success in May."