A NEW generation of swimmers was inspired when an Olympic hero opened Northwich's new leisure and entertainment venue today, Saturday.

Swimmer and TV presenter Sharron Davies, who opened the former pool at Moss Farm 24 years ago, returned to Northwich to open Memorial Court and help Northwich Centurions, formerly Northwich Swimming Club, to celebrate their centenary.

Sharron, whose two-and-a-half-hour journey to town took four-and-a-half hours thanks to congestion on the M6, still found time to squeeze in a question and answer session with young Centurions and opened their centenary swimming gala.

"I was most upset that I might miss this opportunity to answer your questions because I come from the same position you do," Sharron told the swimmers.

"I'm just a normal girl who learned to swim, found a talent, worked really hard and had opportunities to do incredible things.

"It comes with a price - you have to work really hard, want it really badly and focus – but dreams can come true if you work hard enough."

Sharron was just 13 years old when she competed in her first Olympic Games in 1976 and 17 when she won a silver medal at the games in Moscow four years later.

She inspired the youngsters with tales of her career and training and offered advice, before officially unveiling a plaque with Cllr Bob Rudd, chairman of Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), and Elly McFahn, Brio Leisure's managing director.

"Facilities like this are really important and the other thing I'm impressed with is that Memorial Court is in a town centre," Sharron said.

"So many authorities are selling off prime town centre pools and moving them out of town, which is great on paper but there's no public transport system to support it and make it more accessible.

"The fact that it's a multi-use facility is also good – we know that money is tight in every single direction and we have to think about how we spend our money, this makes it financially viable."

Sharron said that at a time when young people spend an average of just 45 minutes a day engaged in physical activity, compared to an average of two hours in the early 1980s, keeping fit and healthy was vital.

"We have to be responsible for our own health and have to take more of an interest in what and how we eat," she said.

"With the growing strain on the NHS there will be nasty repercussions so it's about investing in our own health and fitness."

Edwina Currie also visited the centre on Saturday to recce facilities before she stars as the Wicked Queen in its first pantomime, 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' in December.

For her take on how she feels in the run up to the show click here.

The £13.7 million Northwich Memorial Court features a 25-metre six-lane pool with flume, learner pool, 80-station gym, spa, theatre and dance studio.