PARENTS are being warned not to let their children use the old Selby Abbey Leisure Centre site as a playground as demolition work starts next week.

Residents close to the building have also been advised of potential noise with the work expected to last 10 weeks, with a timber hoarding put up and the old building razed to the ground.

A letter, sent from Gill Demolitions Ltd to residents of Scott Road and Richard Street, warned: “There may be some noise during these works, which subject to weather conditions, should last approximately ten weeks.”

It is almost exactly one year since the leisure centre was virtually destroyed by a fire just months after a £1.1 million refurbishment had been completed.

Plans seen by The Press last year suggested the redevelopment of the site could cost as much as £9 million and Selby District Council has asked Sport England to contribute £2 million towards the cost of the replacement centre.

The letter also stated: “Demolition sites may appear attractive to children, but they can be dangerous places. Temporary fencing will be erected on the boundaries of the site to keep it both secure and safe.

“The fencing will only prevent anyone from accidentally wandering onto the site, it will not prevent those who are determined to get in, so please do not hesitate to contact police should you notice anyone tampering with the fencing.”

Since fire gutted the centre services have been provided at the new Profiles gym in town.

Following the demolition, an improved leisure centre is expected to be built in the next two years and set to include a larger gym, health and fitness suite, a multi-purpose activity hall, fitness studio, an outdoor all-weather sports pitch and a new 25-metre, six-lane pool.