Pent Valley Leisure Centre was officially opened last month by Olympian Colin Jackson and Paralympian Noel Thatcher.

Part of Pent Valley Technology College in Folkestone, Kent, the £2.5m facility received £1.5m in funding from the Big Lottery Fund and has been designed with an emphasis on disability sport.

The centre offers a four badminton court sports hall, a dance studio and a café as well as a 24-station Inclusive Fitness Initiative-accredited gym equipped by Cybex.

The site is operated by Pent Valley Technology College as a dual use facility.

A spokesperson said the centre had been created to offer new opportunities for disabled residents to participate in sport from grass roots to elite level, and that it was not just open to disabled and able-bodied students, but also the wider community.

Since opening, the centre has attracted more than 100 members, 15 per cent of which are registered disabled.

The Big Lottery Fund is also financing the appointment of two full-time members of staff at the centre, a Disability Sportslink project officer and a community sports development officer.

Both development officers will assist in developing sports for people with disabilities and people living in areas of deprievation around Shepway. Focus sports include wheelchair basketball, New Age Kurling, Boccia and Zone Hockey.

Kent County Council was instrumental in helping secure the Big Lottery funding an also provided capital funding for the café, known as The Bistro. Details: +44 (0)1303 277161 or bishopw@pent-valley