CORWEN Leisure Centre staff were excited to welcome back guests to their swimming pool this week - as it re-opened after 444 days of being closed.

The site was recently re-named Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones Leisure Centre - in honour of the much-loved town councillor who died aged 62 in February 2020.

The pool on site has been closed since that month due to refurbishment but never re-opened due to complications which have arisen during the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, the facility was finally able to re-open this week with an Aqua Aerobics class held from 9.15am on Tuesday morning.

A statement from the Leisure Centre team ahead of opening read: "It's safe to say that when the pool closed on 14th February 2020, no-one thought that we'd be closed for 444 days!

"Covid-19 has clearly had a huge impact on the refurbishment works, not just by delaying materials, contractors bit also, of course, our reopening. Whilst this has been frustrating for our team and our customers, there is a real positive to take from all of this, the works were extended to a really significant amount.

"Areas which were not scheduled to be updated, were added to the works. We have seen an enormous investment put into our site and we're so proud to be opening with a brand new name. We can't wait to show you all how fantastic Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones, Corwen is at long last!"

Due to expected popular demand and to comply with Covid-19 guidelines, booking in advance is now essential.

To book your session in the Canolfan Hamdden Huw Jones swimming pool, go to: denbighshireleisure.co.uk/timetable