DOUBLE Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes opened a £2.1million centre for disabled children - the first of its kind in Kent.

With the help of disabled teenagers, the 800 metre and 1,500 metre runner cut the ribbons and unveiled a plaque at the Sunrise Children’s Centre in London Road, Southborough, near Tunbridge Wells.

The centre was built by Kent County Council, supported by Wooden Spoon, the charity of British rugby, children’s charity Barnardo’s and Kent and Medway Strategic Health Authority.

Dame Kelly toured the building, chatting to disabled youngsters trying out the various activities in the state-of-the-art day centre which is going to be run by Barnardo’s.

The centre has a large hall, soft playroom, sensory room, water therapy room and computer suite.

She also visited the attached six bedroom house, The Den, managed by Kent County Council, where young people with complex needs will be able to stay for a few days respite to give their families a break.

She also spent some time in a specially adapted playground, with a swing and a roundabout that can each each take a wheelchair, and a sensory garden. These were made possible by an £85,000 gift from Wooden Spoon.

The centre is the first in Kent to be specifically designed and built for children with learning or physical disabilities, and families and carers had input from the beginning and shaped the final result.