Rayleigh's long awaited £3million leisure centre is set to open its doors to the public next month.

The centre replaces a sports complex on the former Park School site, but boasts extra facilities.

Original plans to include a swimming pool in the development had to be dropped by Rochford District Council on the grounds of cost.

The centre is the biggest development carried out by the council in recent years and was seen as essential in providing facilities in West Rayleigh where substantial development has taken place.