One-time Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies has begun to move into her £1.1 million new home in Bradford on Avon.

Berryfield House was the town's hospital until five years ago and the sportswoman said there was "something magical" about the building.

The 49-year-old, who originates from Plymouth and appeared in last year's Dancing on Ice show, said the move was taking her closer to her West Country roots.

She said: "We saw the drawings and it hadn't been advertised yet, we just stumbled on it, so the nice thing is it wasn't quite finished."

She said this meant she was able to work with developer Ashford Homes to complete the five-bedroom home in the Grade II listed building.

Ms Davies said she and her three children would play an active role in the local community.

"My kids will all go to local schools and my eldest son would like to go to the University of Bath. My daughter will join a netball club and performing arts society and my younger son will join the rugby club."

She said the town could do more for young people, and that she would support efforts to ensure its swimming pool has a bright future.

The pool came under threat last year when a Wiltshire Council review of leisure centres discussed its viability and cost.

The Bradford on Avon Development Trust, a not-for- profit company made up of volunteers, hopes to create a community group to run the facility in Station Approach but says it is safe at the moment.

Ms Davies said it will take at least six months before she will feel fully settled in and has the contents of three large removal vans to sort through.

She said: "I'm looking forward to getting it sorted and being able to sit down. I can't relax surrounded by boxes – to get to just one more box left will be nice."

Her favourite room is the drawing room "for the wow factor," as an original painted ceiling was found when developers took down the old hospital ceiling.

Stuart Morgan, director of Ashford Homes, who converted and refurbished the property, said: "We have restored it to its former glory painstakingly, the whole project has been an inspiration to all of us."

Mark Thompson, manager of Cobb Farr estate agents in Bradford on Avon, who sold her the property, said: "It's been a pleasure to deal with the whole development and particularly with Ashford Homes."

The build-up to moving in has not been straightforward as Ms Davies is involved in a row over plans to build a care home at the bottom of the garden.

She said: "Plans were in place to build a 42-bed care home when I bought the house, but 48 hours later new plans appeared for a 63-bed ugly monster of a care home.

"There was no consultation with neighbours."

The care home plan has divided the town, with the Friends of Bradford's Healthcare group saying "it should be grasped with both hands".

The former TV Gladiator will spend a lot of time in London next year. She has been involved with the bid to bring the Olympics to London and will work for the BBC doing poolside interviews and presenting at the games.