THE UK's first council-sponsored spa will open in Nelson in just over two weeks.

Bosses at Pendle Leisure Trust have announced that the £3million redevelopment of the Wavelengths pool will be finished and ready for its grand re-opening on June 29.

Builders started work on the extension just seven months ago, but in less than three weeks the borough will get its first look at the four holistic treatment rooms complete with mud baths and floatation tanks.

Residents will then be able to experience all the luxury of a top-class private spa - but will only have to splash out £10 for a two-hour session.

The new Wavelengths will not only tackle stress, but also childhood obesity, with another UK first - a gym and fitness area entirely designed around children.

There will also be an adult fitness suite, complete with the latest technology for a personalised work-out.

The project faced uncertainty at the beginning after rising steel prices and a planning condition forcing a bigger car park meant the cost rocketed by £600,000.

But Pendle Leisure Trust's chief executive Phil Storey said everything since then had gone to plan, with the spa already almost finished.

He said: "Pendle Wavelengths will be a one-stop holistic wellness centre with top-quality fitness facilities for the whole family.

"We're proud to include such a premium spa provision in our centre at an affordable price.

"We want spas to be recognised as something that's for everyone, whether it's medicinal, for sport or general well-being.

"Everyone involved is really excited about the opening and we hope as many people as possible will come along to the public open weekend on June 30 and 31 to see what a really great achievement it is.

"This has been a real community project, and we have worked hard with local companies to make the specialist equipment, as well as listening to what people want from the leisure trust."