A new, £4.5m luxury spa and leisure development within Matfen Hall hotel has been officially opened to the public.

World record hurdler, Colin Jackson, was joined by two former Olympic champions – Sally Gunnell and Steve Cram – to officially launch the spa on 21 June.

The spa, which is located close to Newcastle upon Tyne, offers an all-Italian treatment menu provided by Comfort Zone and will be among the first in the world to offer Versace skin treatments.

Treatments include Alphatherapy, clay facials and aromatic wraps.

The spa will have six treatments rooms, including a twin room for couples.

Other facilities include a fully equipped gym, a 16m indoor swimming pool, dance studio, a sauna, steamroom, an ice fountain and a juice bar.

The addition of a spa is a part of a major refurbishment programme, that has seen the number of rooms increased to 53 and the hotel receiving an upgrade to a four star hotel.

Matfen also has two 18-hole golf courses, three restaurants and eight conference rooms.