VETERAN swimmer Tommy Duckworth helped open Darwen’s new leisure centre today – 76 years after launching its predecessor.

Tommy, 84, was guest of honour at the official opening, attended by around 150 VIPs including Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce and Paralympian Felicity Coulthard.

The £12.7million centre replaces the 1933 building on the same site, which was pulled down over two years ago.

When the former building was opened, Tommy, then seven, amazed the crowd by diving from the high board and picking up a penny from the bottom of the pool using only his teeth!

Ten years later, he met his wife Beryl, now 80, when the pool was drained and converted into a dance floor.

Now the couple, who celebrated their diamond wedding last year, are looking forward to becoming regulars at the centre.

“The new building is fantastic”, said Tommy. “I haven’t been able to swim regularly since they pulled the baths down.

"Now I hope to come here a couple of times a week.

“I think it’s great that they’ve retained a link to the previous buildings, with the site, photographs and the old entrance.”

He said the old pool was “wonderful and the envy of Lancashire.

"Now this leisure centre is the envy of Lancashire.”

Tommy went on to win diving medals and later became head of PE at St Mary’s College, Blackburn.

Coun Michael Law-Riding, one of his former pupils, said: “I’m delighted to see Tommy playing a starring role in this opening ceremony.

"He is a marvellous example of the benefits of sport and exercise.”

Darwen Marching Band gave a trumpet fanfare before mayor Coun James Hirst set off a series of indoor fireworks, then eight swimmers aged 94 to 10 jumped in to give the facilty a test-swim.

Guided tours of the venue are on offer this weekend. The public can turn up from 9am to 4pm on Saturday or Sunday for tours of the £12.7m complex.

Coun Law-Riding said: “We are inviting local people to come and see for themselves what’s on offer in this fantastic new facility. I am certain they won’t be disappointed.

“There’s no need to book a place – just turn up on the day. Local people deserve this brand new sport and leisure centre, which will benefit the whole borough."

The centre will open on Monday for the programme of activities.

Click here to view our pictures from the new leisure centre.