Southend's New Swimming & Diving Centre

Heart's been given an exclusive look around the new state-of-the-art facilities at Garon Park in Southend.

Costing £13.5m, the new swimming and diving centre includes a 25-metre 8-lane competition pool and world class diving pool.

The diving pool has fixed platforms at 1m, 3m, 5m, 7.5m and 10m, two springboards at 1m and 3m.

It also features a moveable floor for swimming lessons and exercise classes, as well as water agitation and air cusion system.

Other features include a dry-diving training facility, 374 tiered seating for spectators (including 22 wheelchair spaces) and a small 'fun pool' with water slide.

The British Olympic diving team also plan to use the centre as a training base ahead of the London 2012 games.

Transport links have also been improved locally with the number 27 and 2 bus services extending operating hours between Garon Park and the town centre.