A new dedicated spinning class studio will be created in Ashford's Stour Centre in the new year.

The new exercise room, which will be funded by Ashford Borough Council, is just one of the projects planned for the regeneration of the leisure centre.

Others schemes include enhancing the facilities for the internationally acclaimed Jasmin Vardimon Company, who have been based at the Centre since 2012 and improving the current gym.

Plans to re-locate the spinning bikes, which are currently positioned in the main gym, were necessary following complaints that the classes were too loud and often distracted other gym users.

Originally work was scheduled to start in 2016 but the scheme was brought forward after it was decided that users should not have to wait for “the direct and indirect benefits that the new spin bike studio will bring”.

Cllr Jessamy Blanford, portfolio holder for culture and leisure, said: “Bringing forward the construction of the brand new Spin Studio has positive benefits, and will facilitate the refurbishment of the gym.

“The introduction of new health and fitness activities and new equipment will enable the population of Ashford to benefit from a much-improved health and wellbeing offer at the Stour Centre.

"We are delighted these projects are coming forward together because with Ashford committed to growing and achieving great things in leisure, arts and culture, Jasmin Vardimon’s involvement with local schools and groups while creating world class projects for its international audiences is very much a feather in the borough’s cap.”

Work on the new studio is expected to take place between February and April 2015.

Full story in this week's Kentish Express, out Thursday.