Two sporting legends have joined the mayor for a workout at the opening of a new fitness centre.

John Barnes and Colin Jackson joined Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor to open the refurbished leisure centres in the town officially.

Watford, Liverpool and England legend, Barnes, cut the ribbon at Watford Leisure Centre Woodside and spent time coaching children and the Mayor of Watford on how to take penalties.

“The centre is fantastic,” Barnes said, “I was taught from my days at Watford with Graham Taylor to put back into the community by visiting schools, charities and Leisure Centres.

“It’s good to see the investment in this Leisure Centre which will serve the community because it’s able to afford people the opportunity to work out in fantastic facilities.

"The gym is one of the biggest in the south-east of England and the equipment is second to none.”

The centre, run by Everyone Active in conjunction with Watford Borough Council, began its £1.8milion refurbishment in August 2018.

Olympic silver medallist Jackson cut the ribbon at Watford Leisure Centre Central before setting ‘Beat the Olympian’ gym challenges, meeting the community and then testing his skills in a Bollywood dancing class.

“The facilities at Watford Leisure Centre Central are fantastic, and I think the event was a great opportunity for the whole community to see what Everyone Active has been doing with the centre,” Jackson said.

“I got to try out the gym, and the new equipment is state-of-the-art, and I think the whole community will enjoy using it.

"I hope everyone enjoyed their day and I hope they go back to the centre soon.”

Elected Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: "It is fantastic that we have been able to work with Everyone Active to deliver these improvements. "We’re committed to having first-class facilities but also ones that are affordable and accessible to everyone in our town.

"I want us to continue to have leisure centres that people in Watford can be proud of.’