Date announced for Spa's opening

The spa is more than three years overdue and £15m over budget

The controversial £35m Bath Spa project is to open on 7 August, Bath and North East Somerset Council has announced.

The spa was originally planned as a £19m Millennium Project and had been due to open in September 2002.

But in the face of major building problems and rows with contractors, costs rocketed to more than £35m.

A visitor centre detailing the city's spa history, with touch screen kiosks, graphic panels and archive film, opened on Friday.

Thermae Managing Director Henk Verschuur said: "I am absolutely delighted to be able to announce the opening date of Thermae Bath Spa.

"I believe the opening heralds a new and exciting era for Bath as Britain's most famous spa destination."