A host of sports stars led by athletics legend Colin Jackson are set to attend an open day this month to celebrate the launch of the state-of-the-art Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre.

The £22.5million site, run by award-winning operator Everyone Active in partnership with North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), has proved a huge hit since it opened in February.

Nearly 32,000 customers flocked through the doors in the opening fortnight.

And now the public will be given the chance to sample the wide range of facilities further at an open day on Saturday, April 16.

A host of free and paid-for activities will be laid on from 7am-5.30pm.

This includes exercise classes, gym challenges, virtual gaming sessions and inflatable play sessions.

The star guests will be:

• Colin Jackson – Olympic 110m hurdles silver medallist, two-times world 110m hurdles champion

• Ross Davenport – two-times Commonwealth Games swimming gold medallist

• Muzzy Izzet – twice a League Cup winner with Leicester City

• Steve Walsh – twice a League Cup winner with Leicester City

• Ollie Hynd – three-times Paralympic swimming gold medallist

• Charlotte Henshaw – three-times Paralympic medallist in swimming and para canoeing

• Anthony Clark – Commonwealth Games badminton gold medallist

• Gemma Steel – European Cross Country Championship gold medallist

• Hannah Ward – Derby County FC Women's captain

Double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Jackson will kick off the day with a speech in the sports hall at 10am, accompanied by the other sporting stars.

The celebrities will then take part in the activity programme, which will include a climbing challenge on the Clip 'n Climb at 10.30am and further challenges in the 110-station gym at 11.30am.

Clark will run a children's badminton session in the eight-court sports hall at 10.30am while Davenport, Hynd and Henshaw will take on members of Coalville Swimming Club in a four-length race of the 25m main pool at 1.15pm.

Duncan Gibb, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We are so excited to hold this open day and believe the huge programme of activities and celebrity involvement will prove the ideal way to celebrate with the whole community.

"The centre has attracted a huge number of visitors since opening in February.

"And we want to continue to build on that positive start by showing as many people as possible the state-of-the-art facility on their doorstep.

"The wide range of activities mean this site has something for everyone, no matter what your age, interests or ability.

"We look forward to welcoming the public on April 16 - and giving them the chance to try out the fantastic facilities and putting on a day to remember."

Councillor Andrew Woodman, NWLDC Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said: "It's a special moment for us to witness the official opening of the Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre.

"And to reflect on the hard work that has gone into creating this wonderful facility.

"Since we opened the doors in February, the centre has already become a great addition to the district and encouraged many people to move more and keep active.

"We hope to see many more people join us in celebrating the launch of the new facilities on Saturday, April 16 and look forward to seeing it continue to go from strength to strength."

Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre facilities

• Eight-lane, 25m main pool

• Learner pool with moveable floor

• 110-station gym

• Group cycling studio

• Group dance studio

• Eight-court sports hall

• Clip 'n Climb and Adventure Mania (soft play)

• Sauna, steam and spa pool

• Three squash courts

• Changing Places facility

• Café

• 250 car parking spaces

• Parkland setting

For more information on Everyone Active click HERE.