Former England football international Tom Huddlestone helped to launch the new Kirkby Leisure Centre.

Ashfield District Council leader Jason Zadrozny and Nottingham-born Tom, who played for Derby County and Spurs, officially opened the £15.5m.

It features a 25m swimming pool and splash pad area, multi-purpose sports hall, fitness suite, fun climb wall, soft play area, steam room and sauna, café, wellbeing studio, and sensory room.

The sports hall has the capability to be used as a cinema facility with 196 retractable seats.

Coun Zadrozny said: “It feels like a dream to finally open the doors to Kirkby Leisure Centre. The council promised to build this state-of-the-art centre in 2019 and we have delivered.”

Tom said: “It is a fantastic new building and something that Ashfield District Council and local residents should be very proud of.

“It is great to see a council investing in sporting facilities like this that encourage people of all ages and abilities to get more active.”

Lorenzo Clark, contract manager for the council’s leisure partner, Everyone Active, added: “This state-of-the-art facility is looking fantastic.

“With an inclusive offering, Kirkby Leisure Centre has something for people from all sections of the community.

“The opening and the raft of upgrades that have been carried out at Everyone Active sites across Ashfield make this a really exciting time for leisure in the district.”

Hucknall Leisure Centre and Sutton’s Lammas Leisure Centre have each received new high-quality fitness suites, while Hucknall is also set to get a new swimming pool.

Coun Rachel Madden, cabinet member for Leisure, Health and Wellbeing, said: “I am so proud to say the council has delivered the first public swimming pool in Kirkby. Residents now have access to the best possible facilities in three, top of the range, leisure centres across Ashfield. I encourage everyone to come down and have a look around.”

A Family Fun Day will mark the formal opening on Saturday 17 September with special celebrity guests in attendance and free activities for people to take part in.