Virgin Active has opened its flagship life centre, an £11m facility in Acton, West London.

In addition to a 14,000sq ft gym that houses more than 300 pieces of Technogym equipment, the club has two fitness studios running more than 70 classes a week over four levels.

As a life centre designed to cater for the whole family, the two-storey club also features a lounge with a café bar and a library that contains more than 200 books, newspapers and magazines. Sony PlayStations and Internet access is also provided for member use.

'Virgin don't do small, which is why this is the biggest health club in London,' says chairman, Richard Branson.

A cricket pitch, floodlit clay, Astroturf and acrylic tennis courts as well as three Astroturf football pitches and a netball court, which are also available to the public on a pay as you go basis, make up the outdoor facilities.

Back inside, the club's luxury spa area comprises a hydro massage pool, sanarium, sauna, steam room and lazy loungers. Members wishing to cool off can also try out the club's Igloo ice-room.

Children are catered for in Kidsville, which includes a three-storey soft play area, arts and crafts, a movie den and a créche. There is also a kids pool and a baby pool complete with mini lanes to help children with learning to swim.

This is the eleventh Virgin Active to open in the UK. A further London site is scheduled to open in Wandsworth in October this year, and a club is planned to open in Rayleigh, Essex in mid-2003. Details: +44 (0)845 130 9111