OLYMPIC and triple world champion rower Zac Purchase officially opened a new £8 million gym in Worcester.

The former King’s School pupil performed the ribbon- cutting ceremony at David Lloyd’s 81st club in the UK, which has been built next to Worcester Warriors’ Sixways Stadium.

Creating 70 jobs, the gym includes three indoor and five outdoor tennis courts, indoor and outdoor pools, three exercise studios, a wet spa area, outdoor play area and creche, as well as two physiotherapy rooms and a cafe. It has 2,000 members.

Wayne Isaac, general manager at David Lloyd Worcester, said: “After several months of very hard work, it is wonderful to see the club finally open, and I can honestly say that David Lloyd Worcester’s facilities are second to none.

"It is a real honour that in this incredible year of sport, Zac Purchase, who has achieved so much in his field, should come back to Worcester to open these spectacular facilities.”

Mr Purchase joined 40 children from King’s Hawthorn and King’s St Alban’s, who were treated to a PE lesson with a difference.