THIS is the latest artist's impression of Newport's £5 million state-of-the-art swimming-pool which is set to open to the public in January 2006.

The pool will be the latest addition to the city's International Sports Village in Spytty - already home to the National Velodrome, tennis centre, cricket ground and athletics stadium, which doubles up as Newport County's home ground.

Councillor Glyn Jarvis, cabinet member for culture and recreation, said: "This is a great facility for the people of Newport.

"It will encourage young people to take up competitive swimming and other water-based disciplines, it will benefit the local community and it is a step towards a healthier and fitter Wales."

The new pool and facilities will be an extension of the existing tennis centre.

It will be built on the outdoor tennis courts and car park next to the centre, which will be relocated on the Spytty site.

The new facility will include a 25-metre, eight- lane pool, 20-metre learner/training pool, changing area, 500-capacity spectator seating, wheelchair viewing area, fitness suite and club/meeting-room.

The new pool is to be part-funded by a £1.5 million cash injection from the National Lottery via the Sports Council for Wales, who announced the grant in March.

It is seen as a long-term replacement for the Maindee Baths - Newport's oldest pool - which will close as part of the scheme.

The future of the Maindee building, which is listed by Cadw as an example of art deco architecture, is still to be determined.