Work is due to start today on the £6.3million extension of the Olympic canoeing venue near Waltham Abbey.

The Lee Valley White Water Centre, where Team GB athletes won gold and silver medals during the Games last year, will become a base for the British canoe slalom team.

A gym and physiotherapy suite will be built at the centre just outside the town in Station Road, together with meeting rooms for the British Canoe Union (BCU).

More cafeteria space, extra changing rooms, an outdoor canoe classroom and a new pavilion overlooking the course are also due to be built in the complex.

The development is being funded by a number of bodies, including the BCU and the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, which owns the surrounding land.

The authority’s chief executive Shaun Dawson said: “Lee Valley White Water Centre has already proved hugely popular.

“It was the only brand new venue to be opened to the public before the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the first to re-open afterwards.

“We have listened to feedback from customers and the improvement work will enhance the experience for visitors to this world class venue.”