A new £21m leisure centre has opened at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire.

The centre has been developed in partnership by Defence Estates, North Yorkshire County Council and Richmondshire District Council.

Facilities at the centre include a six-lane 25m swimming pool, two learner pools, a six-court sports hall, a 40-station health club with equipment supplied by Technogym and an exercise studio offering a range of group classes.

The centre will also house the town's new library and the facilities will be used by the wider community.

The opening is part of a £300m regeneration planned for the military town by Defence Estates, the development arm of the MOD.

Defence Estates aims to improve the quality of life for both the town's military personnel and civilians by transforming 170,000sq ft of the town centre into a mixed-use development.

When complete, the new town centre will feature an 84-bedroom hotel, leisure facilities, retail units and healthcare opportunities. There will also be 184 residential unit and offices.

Announcing the plans last year, Robert Manners, principal estate surveyor of Defence Estates, said: "Our vision for the redevelopment of Catterick Garrison is simple. We want to create a prosperous community in which to live and work.

"It is important that for the 21st century we achieve a well balanced community for both military and civilian residents and that these developments enhance the town's image as one based on firm principles of sustainability."