Paralympic hero Ellie Simmonds made a splash yesterday as she opened a £19.7 million new swimming pool.

The gold medal winning athlete was the guest of honour for the official opening of the Spashpoint Leisure Centre in Brighton Road, Worthing.

After being greeted by local dignities, she was given a guided tour of the facility which features a 30-metre pool, gym room and spa treatment area.

Crowds gathered outside the facility to meet the swimmer and to get a glimpse of her gold medal from last summer’s London Olympics.

Speaking after the tour she told reporters that swimming was a “life skill” which everyone should have.

Taking to Twitter later in the day, she said: “Just opened the new Splashpoint Leisure centre in Worthing, such great facilities that will be used by many.”