A £1.5m (US$2m, €1.7m) revamp project of a Lincoln leisure centre, managed by operator and charity Active Nation, has begun this week.

The scheme includes a new children’s soft play area, climbing wall and immersive spin studio, which features a cinema-scale screen and sound system. Facilities at Birchwood Leisure Centre will also include a toning tables studio, a larger gym, and a bigger foyer with café space.

The toning tables studio is targeted at people who are not physically active, while the soft play area is to encourage activity among young people.

Active Nation manages Birchwood and Yarborough leisure centres in Lincoln.

Stuart Martin, Active Nation's managing director, said: “The investment in Birchwood Leisure Centre will create a much more exciting exercise experience for the local community to enjoy. There are less than ten Les Mills Immersive Studios in the UK, and it's like nothing you have experienced before.

“The new soft play area and climbing walls will allow us to bring more fun into our exercise proposition and create an inspiring environment for children to play and be active. We can't wait for the launch.”

City of Lincoln Council gave the go ahead to the investment in April.

Facility specialists Alliance Leisure is carrying out the work, which is due to be complete by the end of the year.