Brighton and Hove City Council (BHCC) is poised to unveil a new £450,000 fitness facility at the King Alfred Leisure Centre in Hove, East Sussex.

Due to open on 24 January, the new gym features more than 40 stations of cv and resistance machines supplied by Life Fitness. A former café has been transformed as part of the scheme, while a spinning studio is located next to the gym area and contains 12 Star Trac spinning cycles.

Meanwhile, both male and female changing areas have been revamped, along with the toilets and showers. New air conditioning and audio-visual systems have also been installed. BHCC cabinet councillor for recreation David Smith said: "We promised to improve the King Alfred in the current building and this is what we're delivering.

"It will offer the best possible value in these hard-pressed times with no need for expensive memberships."