Families have been making a splash as the Morden Leisure Centre has finally opened.

The brand new building was constructed by Merton Council to replace the ageing Morden Park Pool, which was "energy-inefficient and expensive to maintain."

Cabinet member for community and culture, Councillor Nick Draper said: “Today (November 6) we are opening this fantastic new leisure centre which offers something for everyone, whether you want to improve your health and fitness or enjoy a family day out.

“The leisure centre has been designed around the needs and wishes of the community.

"During the last year it has been incredible to watch the plans turn into a state of the art building with outstanding facilities and wonderful views across London.”

As well as a 25 metre pool, the centre will also include a community room for classes and activities, a 100 station fitness suite and even a café.

The centre will be managed by Greenwich Leisure Limited, the company which currently operates Morden Park Pools, Canons Leisure Centre in Mitcham and Wimbledon Leisure Centre on behalf of the council.

GLL Managing Director, Mark Sesnan said: “We are delighted to continue our successful partnership with Merton Council, as we open the new Morden Leisure Centre.

"Welcoming both new and existing customers through the doors of this new facility will be a very proud and exciting moment for centre staff.

“GLL is a charitable leisure social enterprise celebrating its 25th year in 2018.

"We exist to deliver affordable, inclusive leisure facilities which improve the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve. Morden Leisure Centre will compliment this vision and deliver outstanding leisure provision to the residents of Merton.”

Work to demolish the now closed Morden Park Pool will soon begin and the land will be restored to open space. Work to landscape the area and plant trees will begin once the demolition is complete.