Sports trust Stevenage Leisure (SLL) has officially opened its refurbished fitness@the leisure centre gym at the town's Arts & Leisure Centre.

Thanks to a £250,000 investment by Stevenage Borough Council, the facility now boasts an open plan design with mezzanine floor, a new entrance and changing area and a new cycling studio and improved wheelchair access.

The gym is also now open an hour earlier, from 6.30am, on weekdays.

Ian Morton, managing director of SLL, said: "We are delighted with this refurbishment, and thank Stevenage Borough Council for this major investment, the latest example of our partnership working. We want this new facility to serve the needs of the whole community, particularly those who are not traditional gym users."

Eastender John Altman took a break from starring in pantomime at The Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage to open the refurbished fitness centre.