A new council-run £14.7m leisure centre was given the thumbs up by new members ahead of its opening on Saturday.

Some new members, who were among the first to register their place, were given a special VIP tour of the new Atherton Leisure Centre on Romford Road, which officially opened at 8am.

The centre, built on the site of the former Atherton Leisure Centre, houses a 25-metre, six-lane main pool and 20-metre teaching pool, gym with the latest exercise equipment, two fitness studios, a group cycling studio, café, crèche and soft play area.

Imtiaz Patel, 41, said: “It’s a fantastic new space and amazing for the local community. Anyone that doesn’t use the new leisure centre is missing out.”

Nishat Riaz, 40, Forest Gate, was also among the group of the centre’s new members who attended the tour.

She said: “I’m really impressed by the modern state-of the-art building. It doesn’t feel like a typical council leisure centre.”

Cllr Ian Corbett, said: “The new Atherton centre shows that despite the continuing cuts to our government funding, we remain committed to providing a wide range of sport and leisure opportunities for people of all ages and abilities across the borough.”

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