A sports club which has been closed for more than a year is set to re-open as a state-of-the art fitness and leisure centre.

Richard Branson's Virgin company was granted planning permission on Wednesday last week to expand the Bromyard Avenue sports centre in Acton to accommodate three swimming pools, a cafe and a library.

A new children's play area, gym and basketball court are also part of the refurbishment and, outside, playing fields will be replaced by a new cricket pitch and eight new tennis courts will be marked out.

Councillor Philip Portwood, the council's cabinet member responsible for community and health, said the council's main priority was to release more green space around the centre by uncovering land previously covered by artificial turf.

He said another priority emphasised in negotiations with Virgin was developing a low-cost membership scheme for the community use of indoor facilities and a pay and play scheme for outdoor activities.

'This is the sort of development that's needed in East Acton.

'We want something that provides more green space, is low cost and can be accessed by the whole community.'

The centre has been closed for refurbishment since autumn last year after being sold by the council to private leaseholders West London Sports Academy last year when it was renamed The Avenue Sports Centre.

The Academy was granted planning permission to develop the centre in May 1999, but has since been taken over by the Virgin Active Group, which expanded the original refurbishment plans. Next month the council hopes to iron out details regarding the lease on the building. Once that is done, Virgin will be able to start work immediately and the centre could re-open next year.