The new Fairfield has already made a big splash, with thousands through the door since it reopened its doors.

More than 8,000 people have used the pool, and the gym facilities are proving popular.

Youngsters have also been keen to dip their toes in the water, with hundreds of children signed up for swimming lessons.

A total of 13,500 people have been through the door and more than 2,000 have signed up for memberships.

Manager Tom Carter said: “We are very pleased with the response we have received at the new Fairfield and the clear demand for the leisure centre in Dartford.

“We had particularly high numbers of visitors during the half-term week with over 4,000 swimming visits and over 700 children already enrolled on swimming lessons.

“We hope to see even more Dartford residents visiting over the coming months.”

“We are very pleased with the response we have received at the new Fairfield and the clear demand for the leisure centre in Dartford." Manager Tom Carter

Among those excited for Fairfield’s eagerly awaited return were members of Dartford District Swimming Club.

Swimmers, divers and parents attended the first full team club meeting in nearly two years last month, followed by the club’s annual Postal Swim.

More than 80 swimmers took part across all squads and age groups, with Mayor of Dartford Cllr Ian Armitt getting the event under way.

Club secretary Jacqui Lombardi said: “It was great to have the club back together for this year’s Postal Swim.

“We had an uptake of 84 swimmers to enter in the individual event, an increase of 22 swimmers on last year, plus we were able to submit seven team entries.

“The youngest swimmer, at five years old, was Max Buttle, who swum a fantastic 54+ lengths, giving him a total of 1,390 metres.

“Josh Solly, at just 11, swam the furthest distance, an amazing 172+ lengths, a total of 4,320 metres.

“In total 74,100 lengths were swum.”

The club is now training regularly at Fairfield, find out more at ddsc.org