Exeter City Council has announced a £750,000 investment to replace the athletics track at Exeter Arena.

The track, originally installed in 1992, currently hosts more than 100 events a year on top of being the home of several athletics clubs and Exeter University.

The current track is a porous design while the new track will be non-porous, similar to that used in the Olympic Stadium.

The track will close to the public on 1 January 2014 and will reopen on 1 July 2014 with an expected life expectancy of around 25 years with very limited maintenance costs.

Money will also go towards replacement of the field event facilities including the long jumps, pole vault and high jump facilities.

The fitness suite and sauna, currently managed on behalf of the council by Parkwood Leisure, will remain open during the closure period for the works.

Also approved are plans to build a new £20m pool complex. The council have advertised for a project manager on the project, although at this stage, no further details are available.