Historic Turkish baths, fitness facilities and changing rooms will be upgraded and improved at the historic Health Hydro.

Swindon Borough Council has given £1.5m for the work at the Milton Road baths, which date back to the middle of the 19th century. It is the first part of what is hoped to be a £7m restoration project which could see much more of the Victorian building brought into public use.

Keith Williams, the council’s cabinet member for corporate services and operational excellence, said: “I am pleased to announce this significant investment for an important and well-loved building.

“This council is committed to protecting its heritage assets and we are confident that this will be money well spent.”

Josh Roper, the managing company’s GLL’s partnership manager for Swindon, said: “We feel hugely positive about the next five years and the enhancements we will be able to make to the Hydro.

“Where possible we will be looking to honour the building’s fantastic history and really celebrating what is a much-loved Swindon landmark.

“The new investment will enable us to upgrade the reception area, the gym and studio spaces, along with making the existing office spaces more attractive to potential corporate tenants.”

The building’s electrical and heating systems will also be upgraded.