Plans to transform a six-acre site into a £7million climbing park with sports and adventure activities have been approved.

The project will redevelop Bentham Country Club between Brockworth and Shurdington into the 270 Climbing Park, which is designed to be one of the best climbing facilities in the country.

Work is due to begin early this summer with a scheduled opening next year.

Director David Stevens said "It's been a long time in coming, but we wanted to create something special.

"With six acres of things to do, the park can be your local cafe, your gym or fitness venue, your day out with the kids, the best birthday party or celebration or your favourite climbing centre.

"The Park will offer everyone their own piece of adventure, recreation or relaxation"

The climbing centre will include two large, dedicated areas for bouldering - low-level climbing without ropes - alongside Olympic standard speed climbing and competition walls inside and outside.

Catering for all ages and abilities from novice climbers to professional athletes, it will feature fun climbing walls and soft-play areas, an artificial caving system plus a gym for yoga and fitness classes, therapy rooms and two separate cafe areas.

Outdoor activities will include an additional climbing wall, bouldering area, a vertical series of ropes, ladders and obstacles, zip wires, a ropes course and activity tower with free fall jumps and leaps-of-faith elements.

The site's existing domes will be replaced with a sports dome housing multi-activity courts for a variety of sports and will also include an international-standard bouldering competition wall.

The park will also incorporate glamping facilities with accommodation pods for visiting climbers, families and youth and schools' groups offering the opportunity for short-term stays to make the most of the amenities.

Tewkesbury Borough Council's head of development services Sandra Ford said: "I'm delighted planning permission for the redevelopment of the Bentham Country Park site has been granted, subject to a few conditions.

"This gives the green light to what will be an outstanding new climbing and activity centre, to be enjoyed by all, regardless of age or ability - 270 Climbing Park will be a wonderful addition to our existing leisure provision, not only benefiting the health and wellbeing of our residents, but also creating jobs, increasing tourism and bringing economic benefit to the borough."