Demolition work started at the site of Romford’s new leisure centre on Friday with building work is expected to start early in the new year.

Morrisons has started demolishing part of Chaucer House, Western Road, Romford, and will hand over the site to Havering Council, which hopes to start building the four-storey leisure centre in January.

Under the agreement with the council, the exchange of the Western Road site with the former home of Romford Ice Rink, in Rom Valley Way, must be completed by April 26.

The new leisure centre will include an ice rink, two swimming pools, sauna and steam, fitness suite and fitness studios.

Leader of Havering Council, Cllr Roger Ramsey, said: “This is the first step in the building process and I’m pleased to see that work is taking place to clear the site.

“I’m looking forward to having the site handed over to the council in the New Year so that we can get on with the construction of the new centre.”