AN OXFORD legend who has had a ballroom named after him at the new Rose Hill Community Centre has said it is “out of this world”.

Former Lord Mayor of Oxford Bill Buckingham cut the ribbon on the new centre with current Lord Mayor Rae Humberstone on Saturday.

After 14 months of building work, neighbours were allowed inside the £4.7m centre at the weekend to explore.

Mr Buckingham, 94, was particularly keen to see inside the new facility as for 65 years he helped run the old centre it replaced.

When the former Rose Hill Community Centre opened in 1956 it signified the start of a new era for Oxford as the first facility of its type in the city.

Almost six decades later it is hoped that the new centre will lead the way across the whole of the UK.

Mr Buckingham said although it was a “wrench” letting go of the old facility which he had helped to run, it was “amazing” to see inside the new building.

He added: “I’m so amazed at the size of the building and what it has inside, such as the gym.

“It’s out of this world.

“It was a wrench to leave the old building, as we don’t run the new one. Our chairman Carol Davies and her husband Nick spent 20 hours disposing of the chairs, folding up tables and all the equipment.”

Mr Buckingham said it was an honour to have one of the centre room’s named after him, The Bill Buckingham Ballroom.

Another room has been called Norman Brown Hall, after chairman Carol Davies’ father.

Centre manager David Hunt, 31, from Didcot said: “The whole day went superbly well. We must have had about 1,000 people turn up.

“We had lots of positive comments, and lots of people interested in joining the gym.

“It was a great day.”

Mr Hunt added the opening had been eagerly awaited: “I’ve only recently started in this role but I know this centre has been many years in the making.

“Even thinking about the start it’s been a long way down the line.

“People were all really enjoying themselves yesterday, with elderly people walking around, looking at equipment, to children playing table tennis and watching Punch and Judy.

“There was something for everyone.”

The day featured activities for children such as face painting, balloon animals and games, while adults could look at sporting equipment available and pick up information on cycling and walking in Oxford.

The new centre is open weekdays from 7am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm.