FORMER Olympic athlete David Moorcroft paid a visit to North Staffordshire to mark the beginning of construction work on a £12 million fitness centre.

And the 57-year-old, who held the 5,000 metre world record for three years in the 1980s, believes the state-of-the-art facility in Newcastle will inspire future generations of athletes from the area to achieve their dreams.

The Health and Wellbeing Centre, designed by leading sports architects Wm Saunders, will boast a 25-metre swimming pool, learner pool, spectator gallery, changing areas, climbing wall, fitness suite, children's activity room, dance studio, multi-purpose room and a café.

David, whose time of seven minutes and 32 seconds for the 3,000 metres in 1982 remains a UK record to this day, said yesterday: "It's brilliant to see facilities like this being built because a lot of schemes have been put on hold because of the recession.

"From what I've heard it's one of the biggest projects the council has ever embarked on and it's going to be a real asset to the town once it's finished."

He was joined on the Brunswick Street site by representatives from Newcastle Borough Council, which is leading the project, and a group of young people who have received Newcastle-under-Lyme Sports Council grants to aid their development.

David added: "It's great to see and speak to so many young children who are interested in sport and there's a couple here who I think could be ready to compete at London in 2012.

"My advice to them would be you are going to get knocks and setbacks along the way, but keep at it and be the best you can be. I think the fact the centre will be open in time for London 2012 is great.

"There will be a real buzz around the country at that time and people who have been inspired by the Olympics will have a top class facility on their doorstep."

Among the young people looking forward to using the centre is swimmer Rachael Kelly, who recently won a bronze medal in the 100m butterfly at the Youth Olympics in Singapore.

The former St John Fisher High School pupil is currently studying for her A-levels in Wolverhampton so she can train with the Royal Wolverhampton Swimming Club.

Rachael, aged 16, who lives near Market Drayton, said: "When I come back from Wolverhampton during the holidays and at weekends I'll be able to train in the new pool which I'm really looking forward to being able to do.

"It's going to be up there with other top facilities in the region."

The centre, on the former Subaru garage site, is scheduled to open before the end of next year and will replace the ageing Jubilee Pool and Knutton Recreation Centre.

Council leader Simon Tagg said: "It was a truly momentous occasion to see work begin on this major development, which will deliver improved sports facilities for everyone in the borough.

"The building design is modern, environmentally-friendly and will also help to regenerate part of the town centre."

NHS North Staffordshire has contributed £500,000 towards the project in a bid to tackle health problems.