EAGER residents packed into the Highworth Recreation Centre on Saturday to see the official opening of the new swimming ‘changing village’.

Opened by former employees Ray Parry and Sandra Chivers, who between them worked for more than 50 years at the centre, it is hoped the new changing rooms will mean a bright future for the Rec.

The official opening took place during an open day, with centre manager Nathan Hall saying it was a proud moment for everyone involved.

He said: “This is a fantastic new facility. Anyone who saw what we had before will know how good these new facilities are.

“We had one working shower for the men and one for the women. Now we have six.

“We can show people around now with pride. Ray and Sandra have given so much that it was right for them to officially open it.”

The new changing village also includes a state-of-the-art changing room for visitors with disabilities.

The new changing rooms were in part funded by the council and the centre also bid successfully for cash from Sport England.