WHITTON Sports Centre in Ipswich has been awarded the highly commended status by Quest, the UK's Quality Scheme for Sport and Leisure. The centre, which is owned and managed by the borough council, has become the first in Suffolk to receive the award given to those which score more than 75 per cent in their Quest assessments.

WHITTON Sports Centre in Ipswich has been awarded the highly commended status by Quest, the UK's Quality Scheme for Sport and Leisure.

The centre, which is owned and managed by the borough council, has become the first in Suffolk to receive the award given to those which score more than 75 per cent in their Quest assessments.

Steve Kemp, head of sport at the council, said: "This is a fantastic achievement by the whole team at the centre who have worked extremely hard to reach this standard, especially since they have seen a lot of changes recently.

“These changes include the introduction of a new ATP (Artificial Turf Pitch), an artificial bowls green and extensive refurbishment work to the centre's reception area.”

Whitton Sports Centre is now ranked in the top 20 sports centres in the UK,