The Wessex Learning Trust has said it is delighted with its new Kings Fitness and Leisure extension in Cheddar.

The trust has expressed its thanks to building contractors Melhuish and Saunders, based in Glastonbury, after the work at the site in Cheddar was completed on time despite the challenges of operating during the Covid-19 restrictions.

The project consisted of building a large new extension and refurbishing areas within the current Kings Fitness and Leisure building.

It started in March 2020 and was undertaken in conjunction with LED Architects, Sand Engineering Consultants and King Cathery Partnerships.

This new facility expands the centre to include a further two new fitness studios, a larger beauty suite, a new reception and renovated office facilities.

A spokesperson for Melhuish and Saunders said: "Covid-19 resulted in the site being shut down for a few weeks in the first national lockdown but once we was able to do so safely, we re-opened the site with all of the government guidance in place to ensure our team, contractors, clients and the general public were as safe as possible.

"The building was still in use throughout the project and areas were completed and handed over to the client in stages.

"Though the project was delayed due to the national lockdown, the team worked so well they managed to handover the finished project to the Wessex Learning Trust on time in November."

The trust has now given its feedback to the work, and said: "Melhuish and Saunders worked well in a live site, managing to work with customers and staff. They kept the public areas neat and tidy, five stars."

Linzi Tanner, leisure centre manager, said: "We are really proud of our wonderful new extension to Kings Fitness and Leisure, which will enable us to continue to offer the classes and services which are members know and love, while also continuing to increase and diversify the services we are able to offer in the future.

"We believe that this extension is testimony to the modern leisure centre that Kings aspires to be, and we can't wait to share the new spaces with our members and the community as soon as lockdown restrictions allow us to do so."