Royal opening for £10m Hexham swimming pool and gym

The Princess was welcomed by Tynedale Council chairman Coun Mrs Janet Somerville and shown around the building by Tynedale Council chief executive Richard Robson.

Coun Somerville described the visit as a great accolade for the area.

She said: "It is a great honour to welcome Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, to officially open the new pools and fitness suite development at Wentworth Leisure Centre.

"Much of the effort was very much behind the scenes, so it was a great accolade for all the staff and partners to welcome the Princess Royal, to demonstrate the state-of-the-art facilities and receive recognition for their work."

The Princess was presented with flowers by local youngster Amy Bewick, six, and she also took the time to talk to staff and customers.

She also spoke to Wayne Denham from builder Sir Robert McAlpine, Jon Mawson from GLR Architects and Fred Hair of project manager Hall & Partners - each of whom has had a hand in the making of the new pool.

Princess Anne then met David Thompson, chairman of North Country Leisure (NCL) and other representatives of NCL Tynedale, which runs the centre.

Mr Thompson said: "This is a flagship development and an attractive high quality building with much improved existing facilities. It gives a strong basis for us to deliver excellent sport and leisure experiences to residents and visitors in Tynedale."

As part of her visit, the Princess met a number of users who benefit from the new leisure attractions and was given a tour of the new fitness suite by centre manager Geoff Cant.

He outlined the range of classes on offer, including school swimming lessons, a disability user group and a healthy life class.

Both pools have moving floors, which allow the depths to be varied to suit different activities.

The complex replaces the town's outdated swimming pool in Gilesgate, which was opened in 1974.

A gallery of pictures from the visit will be online at www.journalllive.co.uk