New leisure centre makes a splash

A £2.1m leisure complex has opened in Northumberland.

The outdoor swimming pool at Haltwhistle has been refurbished and extended, new changing rooms have been built, and further sports facilities added.

Most of the money for the project came from a lottery grant.

Three existing outdoor pools have been improved, with construction of a sports hall containing badminton courts.

These can be adapted for five-a-side football, netball, basketball, trampolining and gymnastics.

In addition there is a high quality fitness studio, changing areas and reception.

Although they are open for just under six months each year, they attract up to 45,000 visitors.

Work was carried out by Bowey Construction, which won the work by tender.