LONG awaited improvements have started on changing rooms at Colchester's Leisure World.

Colchester Council is splashing out £240,000 on the makeover to the male and female dryside changing areas.

Work has already started on the female changing rooms and is expected to take about two months.

Improvements will then take place to the male changing rooms and are likely to be completed in March 2016.

A waiting area is also being installed in the corridor outside the Studio at the same time as the female changing rooms are upgraded.

This will have seating and a toilet for customers waiting for their group fitness classes to begin.

Annie Feltham, Colchester councillor responsible for communities and leisure, admitted the upgrade had been a long time coming.

"We just had to take our time as all the other building work has gone on here.

"If there is too much of a mess, people aren't going to have a pleasant experience.

"We took the decision to deal with the major works in Leisure World first."

The leisure centre in Cowdray Avenue has already undergone a separate £1.6million council investment in 2013, which including an upgraded gym, a new dance and exercise studio and an expanded reception with a new cafe.

And the council recently agreed to another £1.5million upgrade there, which will include relaunching the Aqua Springs spa, upgrading facilities in the leisure pool and refurbishing other changing rooms.

The current changing rooms project is entirely separate and was paid for out of an existing refurbishment savings pot.

Customers were surveyed to establish how the changing rooms could be improved, with their biggest priority being individual shower cubicles.

All of the changing rooms at Leisure World undergo a daily deep clean followed by staff checks and further cleaning if required.

Mrs Feltham added: "This is Colchester's facility and we like people to look after it.

"We have had people who leave dirty nappies in cubicles so there is a request for people to look after it. There are bins and people need to consider those who come in after them."

She continued: "The all new changing facilities and waiting area will have a positive impact on our customers, providing an area to get ready before and after a workout in comfort and style.

“We’re very sorry that it means the rooms will be out of action for a little while, but disruption will be minimal and I’m really looking forward to seeing them finished. I know lots of our customers are excited too.”

While the work is ongoing, female customers can use the Fitness Pool changing area and access to the Studio will be via the rear door.

Directions for alternative changing facilities for male customers will be given when work on the male changing begins.

The female dryside changing rooms will include: A new shower area with individual shower cubicles, two changing cubicles, new tiled flooring, new ceilings, lockers and benches.

There will also be new lockers and new toilets, wash basins and a vanity area including mirrors, hairdryers and power points for hair straighteners.

The new waiting area outside Studio will replace the ladies/gents toilets outside it and will include two new toilets.

The male dryside changing rooms will have similar features to the new female changing rooms.