The "Olympic Boulevard", a £1.2m extension to Malbank School and Sixth Form College in Nantwich, Cheshire, has been opened for use by students and the local community.

With 1,300 students, the institution has strong links in promoting sport and the values of the Olympic Games, which has seen it receive national and international recognition.

The school's sporting links inspired the design of the Olympic Boulevard extension, which boasts a 100sq m (1,076sq ft) gym fitted with Precor cardiovascular and strength equipment.

Working in partnership with the Parents and Teachers Organisation and the Youth Charter for Sport, Malbank School and Sixth Form College secured 50 per cent of the funding.

Cheshire Council Council contributed the remainder of the balance, with the extension also housing a Starbucks internet café; a family learning centre; and an ICT suite.

Headteacher Jeannette Walker said: "To have state of the art equipment available for our students and our community is fantastic."

Youth Charter for Sport hailed the new facilities as helping to deliver "the type of facility" that will promote cultural and sporting activity.

The organisation is currently lobbying for a House of Commons debate into the plans for a sustainable legacy from the 2012 Games and has now launched a new e-petition. For more information, click here