Kent County Council has opened a new outdoor centre at Bewl Water.

The timber-framed residential venue will accommodate up to 32 young people taking part in outdoor water activities, such as dinghy sailing, power boating and canoeing.

It includes changing facilities and lecture rooms.

The Big Lottery Fund granted £818,000, the council provided almost £273,500 and a further £5,000 came from project partners Southern Water, who manage the Bewl Water complex.

Cabinet member for community services Mike Hill said: “This new facility marks the culmination of a great deal of hard work and planning by our Sports Development Unit and Youth Service.”

Kent sailor Hilary Lister – the first quadriplegic person to sail solo across the English Channel in 2005 – officially opened the centre to the public.