A multi-million pound sports centre will be built off the Old Thanet Way in Whitstable.

Canterbury City Council is pumping £2 million into the development on the Amphenol site near Chestfield McDonald's.

Like other council-owned centres in the district, it will be run by Active Life, which says more sports provision is needed in the area.

The investment was agreed by members of the city council’s policy and resources committee after a recommendation from the community committee, and formally approved by full council last week.

Council leader Simon Cook, who is also chairman of the policy and resources committee, says it will be a welcome boost to the South Tankerton area.

He said: “People often believe gyms and fitness studios are full of muscle-bound athletes in top-to-toe sports gear.

“But Active Life has proved that people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds enjoy taking part in regular exercise, particularly when affordable options for membership are available.

“We already have Whitstable swimming pool and Whitstable sports centre, as well as the sites in Herne Bay and Canterbury, but South Tankerton is an area that has been left rather cut off, without easy access to the existing facilities.

“The new centre will change that, as well as improving the choice for people across the district, whatever their health or fitness levels.”

The previous council had previously agreed to act as guarantor for Active Life to secure a loan to fund the new site.

But officials later decided it would be better for the council to fund and manage the project, with Active Life repaying the investment.