Gemma Steel - Coalville's European athletics gold medallist - says the town's new leisure complex is......

The £22.5million Whitwick & Coalville Leisure Centre was officially opened earlier this month, and Gemma was one of a host of sports stars invited to mark the occasion.

Gemma took gold at the 2014 European Cross Country Championships and has represented Great Britain internationally in cross country, road and track events.

She told Coalville Nub News about how impressed she was with the new facility - and hopes it will provide a platform for the area to produce more sporting success.

Gemma said: "I'm amazed at how spacious and modern it is.

"It has a fresh, vibrant feel and I think it could inspire at lot of people from the area."

Gemma joined a host ot sports stars for the open day at the new Whitwick & Coalville Leisure Centre. Photo: Coalville Nub News

Gemma said it as Coalville's facilities at the Hermitage Leisure Centre that provided the base for her athletics career.

She added: "I used the old leisure centre when I was coming through in athletics.

"That was like a second home to me.

"But to see this place now, it will revitalise the Coalville area. It's a really important facility.

"I'll be coming back here I think.

"It's providing a great image for the town too - and giving Coalville a facelift.

"I think it's going to attract a lot of visitors.

"The open day this month really raised the profile of the place with Colin Jackson being there.

"It'd be nice if someone followed in my footsteps and used this place as a starting point.

"I'm sure there's some young talent coming through."

Gemma competed in the National Road Relay Championships earlier this month - but already has plans to take her sporting career in a different direction.

She added: "I'm building myself back up - but I'm thinking of taking on a new challenge with mountain running.

The spacious indoor court at the new leisure centre. Photo: Coalville Nub News

"It's something I've wanted to do, but I've not been able to because of the risk of injury.

"I'm 36 now so I'm enjoying things a. more and want to try something different.

"I still enjoy my local races though. I'm doing things more for myself now.

"I try and inspire people, as an older athlete, and tell them that age is no barrier."