New £15m recreation centre opens

The building has taken just over a year to construct

A new £15m leisure centre in Staffordshire has opened two weeks ahead of schedule.

Managers at Stafford's new Lammascote Road centre said they had equipment installed and staff training completed quicker than expected.

The building has taken just over a year to build and will replace the town's Riverside Recreation Centre, which shut last week.

It will be demolished to make way for flats, shops, restaurants and cafes.

The new leisure centre will have a 82ft (25m) long swimming pool, along with squash courts and gym equipment.