IT’S out with the old and in with the new in Wyre Forest as the opening of the new multi-million pound leisure centre saw the Glades close its doors after more than 30 years of service.

Wyre Forest Glades shut up shop on Saturday, July 2, to allow for staff to complete their final training and preparations at the Wyre Forest Leisure Centre.

The final ever class at the Glades was a circuit training session led by Deane Hart on Friday, who – after 16 years of teaching – was sad to see the closure of a centre that holds many happy memories.

Mr Hart, 44, said: "It feels like the end of an era. I met my wife Penny while taking the class 12 years ago so it is a place of many memories and it is quite sad to see it close.

"Many of the people in the class have been there since I started some 16 years ago and many are now very good friends and some, like my wife and I, have formed relationships.

"We enjoy events from Christmas parties to annual walking trips to different parts of the country.

"I hope that this class and many others that were taken at the Glades will carry on successfully at the new centre."

The future of site of the Glades, which was opened by Princess Diana in March 1986, is up for discussion at the next council meeting on Tuesday, July 12.

Stourport Sports Centre has also closed and has been sold subject to conditions, although Bewdley Leisure Centre will remain open as usual.

The new £11.9 million leisure centre at Silverwoods, the former British Sugar Site on the Kidderminster to Stourport Road, opened on Wednesday.

Will you miss the Glades? What are you memories of it?

Comment below or send your thoughts and pictures to tom.davis@kidderminstershuttle.co.uk.