A HEALTH club company owner has invited the first family members to view the construction site of a new club in Darlington.

Former Radio 1 disc jockey Mark Page and his family, who live in Elton, near Darlington, were shown around the site in Haughton Road.

Darlington-based Bannatyne Fitness, the UK's largest independent health club operator, is planning to have the club open by next May. It is being built on the site of a former bus depot, and will have a capacity for 3,000 members.

The £3m club will include a 20-metre swimming pool and fully-equipped gym.

Duncan Bannatyne, chairman of Bannatyne Fitness, said: "The construction of the club is on schedule, and by May next year there will be a visible enhancement to the leisure facilities in Darlington.