DOUBLE Olympic gold medalist Rebecca Adlington OBE is to officially open the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre next month.

Miss Adlington, who won two gold medals in the pool at the Beijing 2008 Olympics and two bronze in London 2012, will attend the ceremony on Thursday, October 27, to officially open the centre at midday.

She will open the centre with Wyre Forest District Council chairman, Councillor Rose Bishop.

There will be an opportunity for residents to meet and take photographs with swimming star at the opening, as well as get her autograph.

Councillor Marcus Hart, Wyre Forest District Council leader, said: "We are delighted to be welcoming Rebecca Adlington to officially open the new leisure centre.

"Since its opening in July, we have received fantastic feedback and welcomed thousands of people through the doors.

"We are proud to provide this wonderful facility which offers many opportunities for everyone to take part in sport and leisure activities."

Miss Adlington retired from all competitive swimming in February 2013, at the age of 23. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours.

She has since appeared on reality television shows, ITV's I'm A Celebrity and Channel 4's The Jump - which she withdrew from having dislocated shoulder her shoulder during training.

She also recently was in the news for her appearance at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, where she formed part of the BBC presenting team with Mark Foster and Helen Skelton.

The centre, in Silverwoods Way, opened its doors to residents on July 6. It includes a six lane 25m swimming pool, learner pool with moveable floor, 100 station fitness suite, six court sports hall, dance studios, climbing wall and small-sided outdoor pitches.

It also has a cafe with viewing areas, a double height children's adventure play area, a health suite with sauna and steam room, and free parking.

Places for People Leisure will be operating and managing the centre on behalf of the council for the next 25 years. They won the contract to design and built it with their construction partners, Pellikaan Construction, and architects, Roberts Limbrick.

The centre is open between 6.30am and 10pm, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm on Saturdays, and 8am to 9pm on Sundays.

For more information visit placesforpeopleleisure.org/centres/wyre-forest-leisure-centre.