TWO stars of track and field have been given a behind the scenes tour of the new Middlesbrough Sports Village as the development nears completion.

The £18m complex is due to open officially next month with state of the art facilities set to draw athletes of all ages and abilities from far and wide.

When complete, the facility will feature an athletics stadium, fitness gym, sports hall, indoor sprint track, full size floodlit synthetic turf pitch and five-a-side pitches.

Three-time Olympic long jumper and former British record holder Chris Tomlinson was joined by English international distance runner Matty Hynes for a tour of the site.

The pair were particularly interested in the new indoor 40m track which has just been laid in the sports centre.

The long jumper said: “The centre is even better than I had anticipated it would be, and I’m over the moon with the results.

“From an athletics point of view this is a very positive step for Middlesbrough. As I train here every day it will have a huge impact on my life and will be able to develop athletics within Middlesbrough.”

Work on the main hub, external areas and car park is due to finish this month ahead of the official launch in May, while work on a new 250m outdoor velodrome is under way and due for completion in July.

Matty Hynes added: “The centre is amazing – it’s even better than I could have hoped for. It not only looks state of the art but it has state of the art equipment and facilities and rivals anything anywhere else.”

For further information on Middlesbrough Sports Village, call 01642-592800, visit www.middlesbroughsportsvillage.co.uk or the Active Middlesbrough Facebook page at facebook.com/activemiddlesbrough