THE newly refurbished William Penn Leisure Centre held a successful open day today to showcase its new facilities.

The centre in Shepherd's Lane, which opened last month with two new pools, a dance studio and a gym, invited local people to try them out for free, with face painting and an appearance by Peppa Pig to encourage youngsters.

Contracts manager Denise Adam said: "It has been a very successful day.

"We've had plenty of people and families here.

"We've offered free swinming, free pilates classes and circuit training in the gym."

Taylor Boag, 12, told the Watford Observer: "My friends and I have had a really good swim, and we had our faces painted.

"I liked meeting Peppa Pig, but she was scary - she was really big."

Her friend Lauren Burridge, also 12, said: "The pool is really good, but the deep end isn't deep enough, and it would be better to have a slide."