Bolton Arena has been placed in the top 2 per cent of leisure facilities in the country after scoring 84 per cent in its recent Quest assessment.

Simon Sharrock, operations manager for Bolton Arena, which is managed by Bolton Middlebrook Leisure Trust, said: "The feedback from this latest inspection has been extremely positive and we are delighted that the hard work of the team is receiving the recognition it deserves while highlighting the first class service we are delivering to the people of Bolton."

The £15m facility has also announced that it is now open from 6.30am Monday to Friday.

"Our members and people from the local business community have told us that they want us to open earlier so they have time for a workout and to get changed before they start work," explained commercial manager Gwyn Hughes.

"We want to open up our facilities to as many people as possible. We hope this will help to attract more members from the local businesses and the wider community."