A special event was held to mark the occasion, including an official unveiling by British Paralympic sprinter Katrina Hart, and was attended by a host of local dignitaries, including Worcestershire County Council's vice-chairman Ed Moore and County Council Leader George Lord.

The revamped centre has been designed to make it more accessible for disabled athletes and other young people, with upgrades to changing rooms, a new ramp down to the track and a new trackside turning area for cars and coaches.

Worcestershire County Council councillor Anthony Blagg said: "It is great news for the town that we will have a flagship centre where disabled athletes can come and train and make the most of the redevelopment.

"We think the new-look Ryland Centre has the potential to put Bromsgrove on the map when it comes to these kinds of facilities and we are confident it can pull in visitors from across the county and maybe even beyond."

The day also featured the launch of Ryland Remembered, an intergenerational project carried out by young people and the local community who have been busy researching the history of the New Road site.

Lord, said: "As well as a complete refurbishment of the running track we have re-designed the centre so that it is much more user-friendly for athletes in wheelchairs.

"With the Paralympics [in London] just a couple of years away, we are hopeful that the centre will attract people from far and wide."