MORE than 120 children from across the district turned out to swim with Olympic stars at Bromsgrove's new sports and leisure centre.

Rebecca Adlington and Steve Parry hosted the official opening of the School Drive facility on Saturday (January 13), where fellow Olympians coached visiting children through a host of water-based activities in the centre's new swimming pools.

Four-time Olympic medalist Rebecca said: "The swimming pools at Bromsgrove Sports and Leisure Centre are fantastic and provide children from across the district with great venues to learn an invaluable life-saving skill.

"I hope that everyone who attended the event had a brilliant time and learnt new skills that will inspire them to swim more often.”

The launch event, hosted by leisure centre operator Everyone Active, also offered free activities for families, including group exercise class, family climbing and swim sessions.

Regional director Jon Senior said: "It was an honour to welcome Rebecca Adlington and Steve Parry to join us in opening Bromsgrove Sports and Leisure Centre.

“We are very proud of the new centre and we look forward to encouraging even more people to become more active, more often with the extensive range of facilities that are now available for people across the district.”

Bromsgrove District Council's portfolio holder for leisure Cllr Peter Whittaker added: "This facility is a new jewel in Bromsgrove’s crown so it was fitting that a sporting celebrity such as Rebecca Adlington was a part of this open day.”

Bromsgrove Sports and Leisure Centre opened its doors to the public on November 27. For more information about the facilities and classes available, call 01527 791 6434 or visit everyoneactive.com.