Newark & Sherwood District Council will transform and extend Blidworth Community Centre into a leisure facility with a gym, fitness studio and activity hall.

The development comes after council chiefs agreed to axe Rainworth Leisure Centre earlier this year.

Coun Roger Jackson, cabinet member for culture and leisure, told Chad: "Blidworth Community Leisure Centre is designed to be more than just a great leisure centre.

"It will also be used for community and parish council business, placing it at the heart of the local community as a one-stop hub of activity."

The authority decided to close Rainworth Leisure Centre after failing to reach an agreement about running it with Joseph Whitaker School, where the centre was situated.

But the move was criticised by residents and teachers because the new facilities at Blidworth will not include a pool.

The leisure centre in Blidworth is now set to open in December and will include an air-conditioned 75-station gym with state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment and weight training equipment.

The fitness studio will offer a range of classes, including pole dancing, yoga, pilates and dance, and there will also be a special zone where young people and their families can get fit together.

Other features of the new centre will be flat-screen televisions, sun beds and a refreshment and seating area.