The largest dry ski slope in Europe has reopened following a major refit.

The Midlothian Snowsports Centre at Hillend was threatened with closure two years ago and was temporarily closed to bring it back up to scratch.

It is due to reopen to the public today.

£600,000 of improvements were carried out on the centre, including the addition of an extra 210m of slope, a longer nursery section and new lifts.

Also included in the refurbishment were 240 metres of new snowtubing runs, 60 metres of nursery slope with new, safer ski matting, extension and improvement work to existing nursery slopes and the installation of travellator uplift systems.

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The centre had faced being shut down after Midlothian Council said it could no longer afford the funding.

But Sportscotland and the Scottish government provided £1m of funding to secure the site's future.

An internet campaign to save the slope was supported by more than 27,000 people.

Sportscotland said it hoped the upgrade would encourage more people onto the slopes and inspire future generations.

Midlothian Council owns and runs the Snowsports Centre. The Council worked with a team of designers on the improvements, which were funded by a £533,000 investment from Sportscotland and an injection of funds from the Boyd Anderson Trust.

Last weekend saw the centre host the British Universities Dry Ski Slope Championships.

(IT)