The brand new £12.6m Leatherhead Leisure centre is to be opened by the Duke of Kent.

The centre, which took 20 months to develop, will boast a new state of the art gym, sauna, squash courts and updated changing rooms His Royal Highness will be joined at the official opening on March 24 by a selection of Mole Valley councillors and company Fusion - who will operate and manage it.

Chairman of Mole Valley District Council, Councillor John Northcott, who announced the Royal visit to members at a recent council meeting, said “Being able to welcoming the Duke of Kent to the leisure centre will be an honour, and something I am looking forward to.”

The royal visit will involve a guided tour around the newly refurbished building in the afternoon, concluding with His Royal Highness being presented a special lifetime membership and being asked to unveil a plaque to commemorate the occasion.

The centre has changed completely from its appearance in spring 2009 when the work first started - now featuring a redesigned reception and entrance area.

Councillor Vivienne Michael, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing and Customer Service, said: “We can be really proud of this centre and with good reason, given the level of investment and hard work displayed by everyone involved and the positive reaction we have had from users and residents.“