A new multi-million pound contemporary-design apartment block has been officially opened on Felixstowe’s clifftops by a former British Olympic champion.

Dame Mary Peters used a giant pair of scissors to ceremonially cut the ribbon to open Pavilion Court – a development of 46 one and two-bedroom flats in Hamilton Gardens.

After enjoying a guided tour of the show apartments and communal areas, Dame Mary, who won the pentathlon gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games, marked the occasion with a talk on her experiences as an Olympian and as a sporting ambassador, before enjoying refreshments in the homeowners’ lounge, where she chatted with residents and visitors.

Dame Mary said: “It was a pleasure to mark the grand opening of the new development at Pavilion Court.

“I’ve been an ambassador for McCarthy and Stone for many years now, and I know from homeowners who have already settled into the development how much they enjoy the stunning coastal surroundings and friendly staff there.

“It was lovely to get the opportunity to meet and chat with people from the local area – Pavilion Court really is developing into such a fun and lively community. I’m already looking forward to coming back for another visit.”

Visitors were able to find out more about life at Pavilion Court, where McCarthy and Stone says 85% of the flats have already been sold just a few months after the completion of the project.

The site between Chevalier Road and Cambridge Road had stood vacant for many years, acting as a car park for a nearby block of offices.

Planners praised the plans for the building as a “bold, imaginative and unashamedly contemporary design” to meet an identified need.