Last month, sports trust Carlisle Leisure opened the new £3.3m Wave Centre in Maryport, Cumbria.

The facility, operated by the trust on behalf of Allerdale District Council, is a heritage visitor centre offering multi-functional space that will feature professional theatre and music performances, cinema, local community arts performances, conferences, award ceremonies, training events, weddings and parties. It also boasts a café/bistro and a heritage exhibition which tells the story of Maryport.

Wave Centre Manager Karen Thompson said: "We really want to make The Wave into a true community asset and already we have been inundated with requests to hire the venue for a whole host of different events, meetings and family occasions."

Following the launch weekend, in which more than 4,500 people visited the attraction and took part in activities including Heavy Horse rides along the harbour and face painting, Jim Douglas, managing director of Carlisle Leisure, said: "We're delighted at the support shown over the opening weekend and I'd like to congratulate all the team at Carlisle Leisure Limited who have worked so hard since we were appointed operator of The Wave.

"It has been a company wide effort to ensure that the building and all its systems and procedures have been put in place ready for opening."

The Wave Centre was built under a joint financing scheme led by the main contributor Allerdale Borough Council. Other contributors were the EU, Maryport Heritage Trust, West Cumbria Development Fund and Hadrian's Wall Heritage Limited.