The first phase of a major new multi-million pound leisure facility for residents in Tendring opens its doors today.

Work on the £2.7 million Lifestyles project got under way at Clacton Leisure Centre in June and the new fitness suite and dance studio are now open to customers for the first time.

Lifestyles is one of three capital schemes recently undertaken by Tendring District Council (TDC) to benefit people living in the district.

Both the others - Clacton Town Centre and new public conveniences for Frinton - were completed at the end of last year.

The fully air conditioned state of the art fitness suite at the Leisure Centre in Vista Road includes 80 items of the latest fitness equipment, many of which incorporate their own individual television screens.

The dance studio has a sprung floor and will offer more than 30 classes a week - from yoga to aerobics.

Pierre Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Leisure at TDC, said he was delighted with the standard of facility the Council had been able to provide for residents.

"The fitness suite and dance studio are of the very highest quality and facilities we can be justly proud of," he said.

"When the spa, sauna, steam room and saunarium open later this month - along with the modern coffee shop - the whole site will be the envy of many.

"Customers will have the opportunity to exercise and relax in a luxurious environment and this really is a signature development for the Council and its residents."

The project also includes new changing facilities and follows hot on the heels of the modernisation of the swimming pool at Clacton Leisure Centre.

The ceiling and lighting have been replaced and the wet side changing rooms have been improved with upgraded drainage.

The pool reopened in November after the eight-week programme of works had been carried out.

Cllr Oxley said that he hoped that the facilities would encourage more people than ever before to be more active and get involved in the wide spectrum of activities now available at the site.

He praised the work of the main contractors, Hutton Construction, and all the sub-contractors involved with the scheme.

"This really has been a massive project for the Council to undertake and we could not have wished to have worked with a better team of people throughout," added Cllr Oxley.