A GOLD medallist is to visit Eastleigh to celebrate the opening of a new leisure centre.

Olympic double-gold medallist, Rebecca Adlington, will join the team at Places Leisure Eastleigh on February 17 for the community celebration day.

The day is designed to raise awareness of Places Leisure Eastleigh and encourage more local people to use the new £25m centre to raise their fitness levels and live healthier lifestyles.

People across the region are invited to attend the event between 10am and 3pm and try a wide range of activities, with ‘have a go’ taster sessions, including the gymnastics academy, premier tennis, top-flight badminton and walking netball.

The new leisure centre replaced Fleming Park and opened in November 2017.

Council leader Keith House, said: “Places Leisure Eastleigh has already established itself as a major destination for sport, fitness and promoting health of people in our communities.

“We are looking forward to showing our new venue to Rebecca, and opening our doors to people who may not have tried the superb facilities and the activities that take place there.”

It features an eight-lane, 25-metre swimming pool, a 15-badminton-court sports hall, fitness suites, studios, squash courts and a cafe.

The centre was developed by Eastleigh Borough Council and co-funded by Sport England, and built over 19 months.