A LEISURE centre has reopened two months after a fire broke out and left it heavily smoke damaged.

The blaze in the Inside Spa at Pendle Wavelengths in Leeds Road, Nelson resulted in many swimmers and gym users having to be evacuated from the centre and firefighters being called to the scene on August 19.

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Since the fire, a team of specialists have cleaned and professionally re-painted the areas damaged by the blaze for its re-opening yesterday.

Publicity manager at Pendle Leisure Susan Madigan said: “It has been really nice to see the smiles on people’s faces as they walked in.

“People are glad to be back at the centre and are able to get back into their routines.

“We have opened the nail and treatment rooms at the spa so we are currently taking bookings but the sauna will remain closed until the new year.

“The junior gym is closed at the moment as we are using it for access to the gym upstairs and the dance studio but that should hopefully open in the coming weeks.

“We just want to say it is great to have everyone back and as a thank you, we are offering a free family swim session to everyone who uses the pool and a free personal training session for gym users.

“We want to thank everyone for their patience and apologise for the inconvenience caused.”

The timetables have resumed as normal starting at 7am and the pool, gym and dance studio are now open. A temporary junior timetable has been put in place at Seedhill Athletics and Fitness Centre and Pendle Wavelengths.

Labour council leader, Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said: “I am absolutely delighted that the staff have gone out of their way to re-open the centre.

“They have pulled out all the stops to do so.

“There was a lot of damage but I am delighted that it has re-opened to the public who can start using the facilities again.”

For the full timetable of the swimming and fitness classes, visit: http://www.pendleleisuretrust.co.uk/news/pendle- wavelengths-and- inside-spa-officially-reopen/.