A WIRRAL leisure centre is set to receive a £1 million investment.

The Oval Leisure Centre, Bebington, is the latest local leisure centre to benefit from major investment by Wirral Council.

The historic location, which was featured in the 1981 Oscar-winning classic ‘Chariots of Fire’, will get an upgrade as part of ongoing work to enhance leisure facilities in the borough.

Councillor Chris Meaden said: “This is the latest stage of our major investment in our leisure facilities, aimed at driving up use and creating the sustainable, state-of-the-art services our residents deserve.”

The Oval will get a new fitness suite, exercise studio and catering facilities, following similar redevelopments at West Kirby Concourse and Guinea Gap Leisure Centre in Seacombe.

Work will also be undertaken to improve disabled access to the facility.

The council has already invested £2 million in other leisure assets and the authority has now agreed to invest another £2 million for 2016/17.

Since West Kirby Concourse’s redevelopment was completed in May 2015, membership of Wirral’s Invigor8 fitness scheme has risen by over 25%.

Councillor Meaden added: “This investment will give people in Wirral South added incentives to take up our Invigor8 leisure memberships, enhancing their health and wellbeing at a very competitive price.

“I am delighted to be able to say that we as a local authority are making targeted investments in our infrastructure that will enable us to continue to offer high quality, affordable services, in line with our 2020 Vision.”

The Oval will receive £986,000 of investment, with a target of increasing revenue, tackling obesity and raising life expectancy in the local area.

To find out more about Invigor8 leisure memberships or to become a member of Invigor8, visit www.wirral.gov.uk/invigor8.