Fitness facilities at Knutsford Leisure Centre are to benefit from a £153,000 refurbishment under plans announced by Cheshire East Council (CEC).

The work aims to deliver a new interactive facility, with traditional equipment to be replaced with new machines supplied by Matrix Fitness. Equipment from the supplier's Virtual Active range is to be installed at the centre, which is designed to help attract new users who wouldn't normally use a 'conventional' gym.

CEC head of health and wellbeing services Guy Kilminster said: "We are determined to be at the forefront of providing family-friendly facilities that contribute to improving the health and fitness of our residents and visitors." Work is due to start on 25 March and will take six weeks to complete. The fitness suite will remain close for the duration and will be officially launched in June.