Leisure facilities operated by North Country Leisure (NCL) have reopened across Northumberland and Cumbria following improvements funded by local councils.

Wentworth Leisure Centre in Hexham, Northumberland, is due to be officially opened in October by Princess Anne following an £8m redevelopment funded mainly by Tynedale Council. There were also contributions from Sport England, Tynedale Amateur Swimming Club and One NorthEast/Northumberland Strategic Partnership.

The centre, which is now operational, features a new extension designed by GLR Architects housing a 25m, six-lane swimming pool, a 15m studio pool, indoor and outdoor changing rooms as well as a new reception area, a café and an upgraded fitness centre.

Existing facilities at the centre also include an indoor bowls centre, a sports hall and a children's activity area. The centre is operated by NCL Tynedale.

Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre in Alnwick has also received a £510,000 extension featuring a new multi-use fitness studio to be used for aerobics, dance and martial arts classes. The extension was funded by Alnwick District Council to complement the existing 25m swimming pool, sports hall, fitness suite and health spa.

Also, the dual-use Coquetdale Swimming and Fitness Centre located at Dr Thomlinson Middle School in Rothbury has undergone a £300,000 extension of its fitness facility, consisting of £255,000 from Alnwick council and £50,000 from NCL Alnwick for 20 pieces of Life Fitness equipment.

Chris Horner, chair of NCL Alnwick, said: "The extension to facilities at Willowburn Sports and Leisure Centre and Coquetdale Swimming and Fitness Centre will be valuable additions to NCL Alnwick's sport and leisure provision. It will encourage more people to exercise, swim or whatever they wish to keep fit and healthy."