Hopes that Oxfordshire tennis star Tim Henman would open the new £10m White Horse leisure and tennis centre in Abingdon have faded.

Work on the centre in Audlett Drive is nearing completion in readiness for a series of official events next month.

There was speculation that Mr Henman, whose parents live in Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester, would be able to perform the opening ceremony, but this is now unlikely.

Project manager Karen White said: "It would have been nice to have had Tim here, but unfortunately he and other tennis stars have commitments on the international tennis circuit."

One famous sporting legend will be present at the civic opening of the centre on March 25 - former England and West Ham United footballer Trevor Brooking, who is chairman of Sport England. Mr Brooking presented a cheque for £2m from the National Lottery to the district council two years ago towards the cost of the centre.

Mrs White said: "Trevor is a popular figure in the world of sport and holds an important position so we shall be pleased to see him here. He has taken a lot of interest in the centre."

The centre opens to the public on Thursday, March 28, after the chairman of the Vale of White Horse District Council, Vernon Butt, performs the official, civic opening on the previous Monday. But competitors in the charity Swimathon event will have a sneak preview and use of the facilities for two days on Thursday, March 21, and Saturday, March 23.

Another important component has fallen into place with the granting of a public entertainment licence. But it will not be confirmed until the centre has been granted a safety certificate from the fire service.

Under the terms of the licence the centre will be allowed to open from 6am until 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 6am until 10.30pm on Sundays.

The maximum number of people allowed in the indoor tennis hall will be 1,440, including 300 in the viewing balcony. A maximum of 720 people will be allowed in the main sports hall at any one time.

The centre will be one of the main venues for the Thames Valley Youth games in June.

Among those present at the games' official launch on March 21 will be England hockey international Simon Mason and Olympic swimming medallist Nick Gillingham.