THE last in a trio of new public sports facilities in Bexley has been formally launched by London Mayor Boris Johnson.

Mr Johnson was given a tour of Sidcup leisure centre in Hurst Road, Sidcup, and unveiled a plaque during a visit to the borough last week.

Bexley Council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill told Mr Johnson Bexley planned to use the interest in Team GB in Bejiing to encourage more people to take part in physical activities and to encourage sporting excellence.

Mr Johnson watched students from adjacent schools, Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar and Hurstmere, which make up a joint specialist sports college, go through their paces and chatted with them about sport.

Mr Johnson said: “We have a unique opportunity with the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to set in place a lasting legacy for sports provision across the capital, and centres like this play a vitally important part.”