AN Ipswich sports centre is celebrating today after being deemed the most improved in the UK.Whitton Sport and Community Centre beat off 500 other hopefuls in the national Quest awards.

AN Ipswich sports centre is celebrating today after being deemed the most improved in the UK.

Whitton Sport and Community Centre beat off 500 other hopefuls in the national Quest awards.

It was not the town's only success as Crown Pools, Crown Street, was deemed the highest-scoring swimming facility across the UK last year.

Northgate Sports Centre, Sidegate Lane West, came third in the category for dual-use facilities.

Over the past two years, improvements at Whitton Sport and Community Centre, Whitton Church Lane, have included a new bowls green, a new reception area, an expanded range of fitness classes and work to increase staff motivation.

Manager Tony Bush said: "It's fantastic. It's really unbelievable.

"We have worked really hard here over the past two years putting different ideas into practise.

"What we are most proud of is the good quality service - from activities for babies to tea dances for 80 and 90-year-olds.

"It's really fantastic for the whole north-west Ipswich area to have a recognised facility on their doorstep.

"Our hopes now for the future are to continue improving, giving good quality service and enjoying our jobs."

More sporting facilities could also be coming to this part of town in a proposed new development.

If the proposals being put forward by Merchant Projects go ahead, 13 acres of agricultural land off Whitton Church Lane could be converted into playing fields.

While the existing King George V Playing Field and the former Tooks bakery, off Old Norwich Road, could see brand new facilities for Whitton United Football Club and around 250 homes.

Quest, backed by Sport England, is the quality accreditation scheme for leisure facilities.

The awards were presented at a conference in Harrogate last month.