Work started yesterday on an ambitious £1.5m project to renovate Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre and encourage unfit people living on the Oxford estate off the sofa and into the gym.

Bill Baker at the site of the leisure centre redevelopment in Blackbird Leys

Last year Oxford City Council successfully applied for a £746,000 lottery grant which will be matched by council funding towards widespread refurbishments at the Pegasus Road centre.

Money will also go to community groups and outreach projects aimed at getting more people involved in regular exercise.

The leisure centre will be expanded to accommodate new gym equipment and fitness classes, as GPs refer those suffering with serious health problems to sessions in the swimming pool and gym.

Leadbitter is undertaking the work, while a firm called Ridge has been named as project managers.

Meanwhile, GPs on the estate will step up their campaign to encourage the most unhealthy residents to take part in exercise classes and basics such as walking and cycling.

They already prescribe exercise classes alongside conventional medicine to encourage people to have a healthier lifestyle.

Dr Matthew Wilkinson, a GP at Blackbird Leys Health Centre, said: "We have more cases of diabetes and high blood pressure here than any other practice in the area.

"This is due to smoking, a lack of exercise and the wrong diet, but the money -- which is great news -- will only help if people want to engage in improving their health.

"The increase in diabetes is almost entirely due to increasing weight and a lack of exercise -- it's not rocket science.

"We have enjoyed a great relationship with the guys at the leisure centre and long may that continue."

A particular strength of the bid was the emphasis placed on a consultation exercise that took place last year, in which 480 people were asked what services they wanted on the estate.

The Sport England grant was the largest to be awarded in the South East.

A condition of the Lottery cash is that part of it is used to provide activities for young people in Barton, Rose Hill and Wood Farm, ethnic minority groups and the elderly.

City councillor Bill Baker, executive member for corporate governance and procurement, said: "I'm delighted we were able to secure the funding from Sport England.

"This new centre will be a vital resource for the community and I hope residents of Blackbird Leys and the surrounding areas use it to its full potential."

The refurbishment is due to be completed by the end of March 2006.