Wycombe’s new leisure centre, currently being built at Handy Cross, is set to boast one of the first indoor ‘splash pad’ play areas in the country to help keep the children entertained, it has been announced.

The splash pad, complete with pirate ship and water jets, is set to house a range of other water features to help encourage fun imaginative play for children up to the age of seven.

Cllr Richard Scott, Leader of Wycombe District Council said: “This will be one of the first indoor splash pad facilities in the country. The design is creative, inspiring and fantastic for children.

"When it opens in 2016, the new leisure centre will offer something new for all age groups. I’m certain that the splash pad will prove to be an extremely popular attraction for families with young children.

"The nautical theme of the splash pad will help young children to build confidence in water, encouraging them to use their imagination and have fun.”

Among the splash pad features will be a ship, called the ‘Seas Scoundrel in Action’ with water jets, a soaking mast, sound play panels and fun pirate themed graphics.

It will also boast an ‘aqua tent’ - which will form a hollow wave of water designed to let children to splash around, crawl through or even sit inside and a spray shooter cannon which to help them soak their pals.

The area will have a soft surface – similar to that of material used in playgrounds – and interactive touch sensitive panels will control the watery fun on offer, letting children start different sequences.

The drainage system will let the water flow without building up any depth, making it safe for younger children.

But the leisure centre has plenty more to offer, says Cllr Scott, who added: "Some of the other state of the art facilities that will be installed at the new leisure centre include a climbing wall, a 3.5 metre dive pit and a 50 metre eight lane swimming pool.”

More details of what the public could expect when the leisure centre opens were released by WDC last month.

The splash pad has been designed by SSP Play & Water, who worked with Places for People Leisure to produce the attraction.

The £150 million Handy Cross Hub development will also see the addition of a full size Waitrose, a new purpose-built coachway park and ride, a 150 bed, three- star hotel and a day nursery. Construction of an office development is also underway at the site.