A firm has been awarded a 10 year contract to manage leisure centres across the borough.

Greenwich Leisure Limited won the contract with Barnet Council to manage and operate its five leisure facilities, which includes the developments at Barnet Copthall and Victoria Recreation Ground in New Barnet.

The awarding to GLL came after a review of leisure services and a competitive bidding process.

Managing these services will also include new ideas to tackle unhealthy lifestyles, such as a residents' card which gives discounts of 30 per cent on services, or 50 per cent for concessions, and the creation of "health hubs" at each facility to deliver health checks and advice.

This will be in addition to investing in improving other leisure centres such as a new day nursery and all weather pitch at Burnt Oak Leisure Centre, and refurbishments at Hendon Leisure Centre, Finchley Lido Leisure Centre and Burnt Oak Leisure Centre over the next 10 years.

Cllr Sachin Rajput, chairman of adults and safeguarding committee and lead member for sport and physical activity, said: "Our Fit and Active Barnet vision aims to create a more active and healthy borough and we're pleased to announce the awarding of the contract to GLL, who will support Barnet in achieving this goal.

"The council is making significant investments in creating new facilities at Barnet Copthall Leisure Centre and Victoria Recreation Ground, and GLL has demonstrated its experience, commitment, innovation and ambition to work in partnership with the council to maximise benefits from investment into leisure facilities through improved quality of service and increased participation, whilst supporting improved health and wellbeing.

"We are committed to providing residents, of all ages and abilities, with access to a range of exciting opportunities to get involved in sport and physical activity and our new contract will look at introducing a range of options within our leisure centres, parks and within the local community."

The GLL has already been running the borough's services since 2003, and will start in January 2018 and continue until 2028.