WOODCHURCH Leisure Centre is to be officially reopened next Wednesday - more than a month after a stolen car crashed into an outbuilding causing substantial damage.

Announcing the reopening, Wirral Council today thanked residents for their patience.

In a statement, the authority said: "The gas supply could not be reconnected until a new housing unit was supplied and erected.

"The housing had to be constructed to  specification, normally the supply and delivery is within six weeks.

"We were in regular discussion with the contractors to push the delivery date forward.

"This was achieved yesterday with the unit delivered and fitted within four weeks.

"The boilers have been purged and the pool temperature is being raised over a four-day period to avoid any damage to the tiles.

"The dry side has been open for block bookings and exercise classes with no heating or hot water."

The incident occurred at Carr Bridge Road centre on the evening of Monday, March 31. The crashed car caused a major gas leak and the facility was evacuated.

A children's dance troupe were practicing inside at the time and detectives said it was a "miracle" nobody was hurt.

Four young men were seen running away from the wrecked car in the direction of Noctorum.

Superintendent Richie Davies from Wirral Command Team said at the time: “The impact of the collision was considerable and had they hit the main building we may have been talking about many people being seriously injured.

“The leisure centre was fully in use and in fact a local children’s dance troupe were just some of the people inside at the time.

“Not only have the people in the car caused a serious collision, they have also fled the scene not caring to see who they might have injured or what damage they caused."

He continued: “Their selfish, dangerous actions have caused a local service to close and I am sure people will agree that they should be brought to justice.

“It is a miracle that no-one at the leisure centre has been hurt.”

The Clio had been stolen from outside a house in Southdale Road in Birkenhead overnight on Sunday, March 29.

Anyone with information should call police using the 101 number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.