TEN-year-old Ben Taylor, of Salisbury, summed it up for everyone when he said: "It's really good and big. More people can swim - it's great."

He was talking about the gleaming new pools that form the watery element at Five Rivers leisure centre and swimming pool in Hulse Road, Salisbury.

MP Robert Key, councillors and other guests joined swimmers of all ages at the inauguration ceremony last Saturday.

The official opening was by chairman of the district council Margaret Peach. Lionel Fanner, president of Salisbury Amateur Swimming Club, accepted the centre on behalf of the community.

Club members gave demonstrations, along with schoolchildren and a handful of brave district councillors who tried all the facilities, which include a flume, geysers, a water cannon and adult and junior spas.

Olympic swimmer Nick Gillingham gave a demonstration and T-shirted staff were on hand to answer queries from members of the public.

The building project, which was started in September, 2000, has cost Salisbury district council £6m, having been turned down for lottery funding.