ROYSTON Leisure Centre has been named the country’s top leisure centre.

The centre topped a list of 600 centres across the UK assessed by Quest, the industry watchdog which monitors standards at leisure and sports centres. It received the overall highest score of all the centres inspected.

Stevenage Leisure Limited operates the centre on behalf of North Herts District Council. Tony Stratton, duty manager at the centre, has worked there since it opened in 2005.

He said: “It feels great to be part of a team that has achieved such a prestigious award and even better to know that the staff’s hard work and commitment towards our customers has been recognised. Working at the Leisure Centre is an enjoyable time for us all, and it is the friendly customers that we have, that make our jobs so rewarding.”

Following a two-day Quest inspection, the centre was rated “excellent” in areas including maintenance, equipment and environmental management. Inspectors also praised it for the energy saving measures which have been put in place by staff.

Cllr Ian Knighton, the district council’s portfolio holder for leisure, said: “This award is a superb achievement and recognition of the excellent management of the council’s leisure centre by Stevenage Leisure Limited.

“The real winners are people in and around Royston who know that they have a nationally acclaimed leisure facility serving their community.”

Centre staff attended the national Quest conference at Holywell Park, Loughborough, last week, where they picked an award for their efforts.

Stevenage Leisure Limited managing director Ian Morton said: “To be rated as the best in the country from over 600 centres which were Quest assessed is a fantastic achievement, and it is a fitting tribute to the hard work and high standards that the team at Royston delivers on behalf of North Herts District Council and the local community.”