THE revamped Billingham Forum could be the catalyst for transforming the whole town centre, excited visitors said yesterday.

Within just two hours of the shiny new £18.5m facility opening its doors more than 2,000 eager locals had flocked inside to see the result of two years work.

Armed with their gym kits, ice skates and swimming costumes yesterday they were greeted by two "talking" flowerpots before walking into the airy brightly-coloured atrium.

Ice hockey player, Daniel Spence, was thrilled to be skating on in his home rink again.

The former Billingham under 10s team member joined Northern Stars when the forum closed in August 2009, forcing his mother Ingrid to regularly make the two-hour return trip to Whitley Bay ice rink near Newcastle.

"It is great that the Northern Stars Academy is be merging with Billingham Ice Hockey Club and will now played out of here.

"I am overjoyed to be back, the ice here is pristine, the best I have ever skated on" said the 13-year-old from Ingleby Barwick in Stockton.

Bev Harding from Billingham said she was looking forward to using the gym again and taking children Ashley, 13, and Natasha, eight, ice-skating.

"There is still a lot that needs to be done to improve Billingham but this is a great start," she added.

The original forum, built in 1969, was the first major example of a combined theatre and sports venue.

The makeover, led by Stockton Borough Council with financial help from Tees Active, has created more than 40 jobs and will reinstate it as one of the region's top leisure venues in the region, believes centre manager Roy Broadbent.

"A man came up to me and said the refurbishment would help put Billingham on the map again. When it opened there was no facility like it in the country, hopefully it will reinstate us as one of the top leisure facilities in the region."

Steve Chaytor, Managing Director of Tees Active, added: "We hope it will be a catalyst for the whole regeneration of the town centre. The forum will bring a lot of footfall and after using it will want to spend their hard earned cash in an attractive shopping centre."