SPORTS and leisure facilities in the Sedgefield borough are to get a £2.7m transformation.

Four lifestyle fitness suites in leisure centres run by Sedgefield Borough Council are to be extended and refurbished over four years.

The scheme will see a complete overhaul over the gyms at Newton Aycliffe, Shildon Sunnydale and Spennymoor leisure centres.

Ferryhill leisure centre will receive a £20,000 facelift. Some years ago it was doubled in size to house a fitness suite, martial arts room and indoor bowls area, with the help of a £1.28m National Lottery grant.

£1,065,000 will be spent to develop the gym suite at Newton Aycliffe over three floors of the existing building.

At Spennymoor, £984,000 will be spent to build an extension at the rear of the centre to provide a gymnastics hall, changing rooms, offices, a refreshment area and a viewing gallery.

An existing children's soft play area is likely to be relocated at Shildon, to accommodate the £455,000 refurbishment of the fitness suite, expected to be over two storeys.

Councillor John Robinson, lead member for culture and recreation, said: "This is a great scheme. It is going to improve the fitness of the borough by providing access to first-class equipment.

"It is important that we all look to improve our health, and having good facilities in the borough will make it easier and more enjoyable to take up regular exercise."

The investment has come as a result of a deal between the council and fitness suite partner Competition Line, which runs until 2018.

Competition Line will also fund a £250,000 refurbishment of the sauna at Newton Aycliffe, and provide £150,000 towards the provision of a new gymnastics centre at Spennymoor.

Phil Ball, the council's director of leisure services, said: "This is an exciting deal for Sedgefield Borough Council and reflects the increasing demand for first-class fitness facilities.

"We recognise how important these facilities are for our customers and are delighted with Competition Line's help."

Gordon Hall, managing director of Competition Line, said the two partners had worked well in the past and were looking forward to a successful future.