A £2.3 million plan to redevelop a major sports centre is expected to get the go-ahead this week.

The proposals for the Dolphin Leisure Centre in Haywards Heath are aimed at coping with an increase in demand for health and fitness facilities in the area.

The changes at the centre, which is owned by Mid Sussex District Council, will include a new health and fitness club, featuring a 580sqm gym and weights area, a dance studio, small pool, spa pool, steam rooms and a sauna.

If a council planning committee backs the scheme at its meeting on Thursday, work could start by March.

The proposals also include a shop and a conference room and an extension to the existing pool, which would allow official swimming galas to be held at the centre.

Four squash courts will be knocked down to make way for some of the changes but two new ones will be provided.

Council officers say they have had several written and verbal complaints about inadequate facilities at the centre.

This, coupled with the fact that the existing squash courts were not being fully used, led to the start of the redevelopment plans.

A council spokesman said: "Squash has been the subject of a decline and we do not believe the trend is likely to change. On the other hand, we are having an increased demand for health and fitness facilities.

"The changes will give us the chance to make sensible use of under-utilised areas and improve the design of the building at the same time."

The work is expected to take seven months.