The Rapids in Romsey has won an award for exceptional service – one of only three leisure centres in the country to receive the accolade.

The venue was given the “Assessors Exceptional Facility Management Team Award 2013” by Quest, the leisure centre quality mark agency supported by Sport England.

Quest visited more than 600 centres last year.

Kevin Paterson, chief executive at Valley Leisure, who run The Rapids in partnership with Test Valley Borough Council, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with this accolade. This year we’ve added new facilities and services to The Rapids, including the X:Ten high intensity work out suite and new fitness classes, and all of these have been really well received.

“Quest see leisure centres all around the country. They know what’s good, what’s bad and what’s great. It’s fantastic to know that your team is considered one of the best. We feel very proud of this achievement,” said Kevin Only six per cent of leisure centres reach Quest’s ‘excellent’ level, but this does include a Test Valley double. Andover Leisure Centre, which is also operated by Valley Leisure, was considered ‘excellent’ in its 2013 assessment too.