Rebecca Adlington's splashing time as Tipton Leisure Centre opens

While at the new Tipton Leisure Centre, the gold medallist chatted about her wedding plans, her future career and her dream to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.

Rebecca, who also won a bronze medal in last year's Olympic Games, described the centre on Alexandra Road as 'absolutely amazing'.

The 24-year-old swimming star, who announced in January that she was retiring from the sport, was treated to a tour of the centre, before chatting to youngsters who were enjoying a lesson in the new pool.

She said she loved the building's modern look and blue theme, and added: "It's absolutely amazing to see a venue like this. I've seen many, many swimming centres in my time as I've been going to them since I was four, and this is really one of the best, and really amazing places for people to come in Tipton."

At the opening event, the star, who is originally from Mansfield but now lives in Manchester, answered questions about her career, and her Olympic successes.

She told the crowd. "The Olympics is just the most incredibly special place, it is like Disneyland without the rides."

She added: "It's the only chance that we get to see other sports and also the biggest audience we as athletes ever have. Usually you only have a few people come and watch, and it's usually your family, so it was amazing to have such a big stage."

She told the crowd that her biggest inspiration was her parents and family who tirelessly gave up their time to take her and her sisters to swimming training.

She said: "They were so selfless, and it was a real family commitment. My mum would be getting up early to take me to training, while my dad would stay home and cook. They were the ones who supported me all the way."

She told the audience that swimming was one of the most important skills they could learn. She said: "It is a life skill, and I think no parent takes their children to the pool in the hope they could swim at the Olympics. They take them so they could learn a life skill. It's something that they are going to need and some point in their life."

Rebecca who recently got engaged to fellow swimmer Harry Needs said she has big plans for the future. The star, who was sporting a large engagement ring, said: "There is no date yet, but I hopefully plan to get married next year."

Before she walks down the aisle, though, the star did admit she would love to follow in the footsteps of fellow Olympian Victoria Pendleton and take a turn on the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor. She said: "I would absolutely love to do it. But it's something you can't ask to do, you have to wait to be asked."

Rebecca said although she has retired she has no plans to rest on her laurels. She said she is still very passionate about swimming and plans to be involved in both grassroots swimming and work with elite athletes.