Building work at a leisure centre is now at the halfway point after being saved by local authorities.

The Riversmeet Leisure Centre in Gillingham closed its doors in March 2008 because of council tax capping but was given a £4 million lifeline by the local council and a community group.

Since then work has started on a new state-of-the-art centre on Hardings Lane that will boast top of the range facilities and a 25-metre competition pool.

John Havill, of the Gillingham Community and Leisure Trust, said the region was desperate for the new facility and plans are on track despite some early problems.

“Now that major groundwork has been completed we will be making an announcement in regards to an opening date. Resources are way short in North Dorset to what Sport England expect for our population,” he said.

Bob Walter, MP for North Dorset, is impressed with how the project has progressed, and suggested that the Riversmeet development “could be a template for other areas to follow”.