After a grant of almost £2m from Sport England, the new Loughton Leisure Centre has been completed, with "improved" facilities for disabled people.

Formally opened by former Sport England chair Trevor Brooking, the centre offers a six-lane 25-metre pool with "fun water features" such as geysers and a water cannon, as well as a Shapes Fitness Studio, sprung dance studio and sauna and steam rooms.

Epping Forest District Councillor, Jon Whitehouse, said the new facilities, replacing a swimming centre, would have much better access for disabled people than those of the old pool: "The centre has been designed with the latest accessibility good practice very much in mind.

"It has a GP referral programme recognising the increasing amount of work we are doing to help people recover from and prevent illness through exercise." Details: www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk