A STATE-of-the-art health spa to rival any private club has cast a healthy 'golden' glow over the city's public pool.

Beauty therapists and masseurs are awaiting customers at Hereford Leisure Pool's new spa which promises a 'heavenly', revitalising experience - and they are coming to leisure centres in Leominster, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury and Bromyard too.

Launched last Thursday, January 30, under Hereford Community Leisure Trust's new Halo brand, it features a luxurious 10-seater whirlpool spa, sauna, steam room and sun beds as well as a beauty therapy and massage room.

The Spa's Jo Wood, who specialises in reflexology, therapeutic massage and sports massage, said lots of bookings had been made for the opening day.

"If people want everything under one roof, we have got it now. You can have a massage, a sauna, go to the gym and have your eyebrows plucked, all in one," she said.

Launched by chairman of the new style not-for-profit trust, Bryan White, after two years of planning, the new spa will become the norm throughout the county.

"We aspire to this level of provision across our facilities. It will take time but the plans are there to do that," he said.