LANCASHIRE Telegraph reporter Chris Adams was among the first visitors to take the plunge at the state-of-the-art £13.5m leisure centre’s impressive pool - and he thinks it will make quite a splash with local swimmers.

THE last time this water-shy reporter went on a water slide was outdoors in the Hungarian capital, Budapest, where it was 25 degrees and there was a beer waiting at the bottom.

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The context was a little different on a drizzly morning in Feilden Street, Blackburn, but that didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the eager visitors on the first day of business at Blackburn Sports and Leisure Centre.

A smattering of users, of various ages, were up bright and early to test the waters of the six lane, 25-metre swimming pool – but the big kid in me was much more interested in the slides.

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First, though, Blackburn College curriculum manager Damian Stewart was keen to show me the other facilities his students have been using since November.

Two spacious sports halls – approved by a host of industry bodies – will play home to sports including cricket, badminton and netball.

One specialised hall, built in conjunction with the English Cricket Board and Lancashire County Cricket Club, provides a particularly niche arena for indoor cricket.

As you would expect on opening day, everywhere is polished, slick and clean, and the staff came across as approachable and friendly.

The gym was already buzzing with members when we arrived and there was a general feel-good atmosphere among punters and staff enjoying their new equipment.

After a quick roast in the steam room, I dived into the queue for the centre’s two meandering water slides – both of which go outdoors and can be spotted as you enter the building.

Thrillseekers: the yellow slide is the one for you, a rapid curved descent with finishing times monitored by a stop clock.

Unfortunately, my 6.11 seconds effort fell considerably short of the 5.79 seconds record set that day – not that it stopped me from returning for another six goes.

The adjacent purple flume is designed for families and youngsters and can handle two users at once.

A more leisurely journey is brightened up by a choice of music - theme tunes include James Bond - and a game where users have to hit flashing lights as they plummet towards the water.

I would happily have stayed all morning before I was beckoned back to the office.

The town’s old leisure centre holds happy memories for thousands, but I’m confident that the next generation of youngsters will be making waves here for years to come.