NORTH West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong has visited Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre to view plans for a £2.7m development.

She was accompanied by Councillor Joanne Thompson, a candidate in the forthcoming European elections.

They viewed plans put forward by Competition Line, which has formed a partnership with Sedgefield Borough Council's leisure services department, to re-develop its fitness suites.

The party also toured and chatted with children from Teesside High School, Greenfield Comprehensive School, and disabled groups from Coverdale Services, who were using the climbing wall in the leisure centre.

The climbing wall has built up a membership of about 18,000 users and is operated as a private company called Rock Antics.