The developers of the new Sizewell C nuclear power station have expressed an interest in an "innovative" plan to use waste heat from the plant to heat a new lido.

Creating the outdoor pool was one of a number of ideas contained within the Leiston masterplan - a blueprint for transforming the Suffolk town - and now the Sizewell C company has pledged to explore the proposal with the town council.

A spokesperson for Sizewell C said: “We are committed to working with Leiston to support their long-term ambitions for the town.

“Whether that is improving connectivity from the town to the Sizewell coast through new footpaths along our land at Aldhurst, working on projects such as the recent opening of Church Square, or exploring innovative schemes to harness the residual heat from the power station.”

The Leiston masterplan calls for the advantages of the town’s location near to the new station to be explored, including "possible synergies/shared facilities e.g. using waste heat from the plant for a lido at Sizewell".

The masterplan also outlines the benefits of the "incredible strategic footpath network" linking Leiston with the coast, which will be "further enhanced" by Sizewell C, while the power project will also provide "increased footfall and demand on facilities", along with employment opportunities.

Other potential improvements could include a one-way system creating a new street layout in the High Street to provide a more relaxed and enjoyable experience for shoppers, as well as the pedestrianisation of the northern section of the High Street to provide a public space in the town centre.

A new community and health hub is also planned for the Waterloo Centre, in Waterloo Avenue, which could also become home to the town’s GP surgery if it relocates from its current site in Main Street.

Meanwhile, the vacated surgery site could become an engineering college as part of a ‘heritage quarter’ focusing on the Long Shop Museum and Post Office Square.

The plan foresees that the Market Square "will become a vibrant and distinctive additional street and space in the town centre with a mix of uses, including commercial, start-ups, a work hub and housing".

Public consultations to gauge views on the masterplan closed on Wednesday.