LEISURE services across the borough of Stockton have been given a new start.

Tees Active Ltd will now manage Stockton Borough Council's leisure facilities and continue to develop the service. A management board has been established with individuals from the health, education and sporting sectors and will be chaired by Gordon Bates.

There will also be the opportunity for a resident and leisure centre customer to be elected on to the board.

Splash, Thornaby Pool, Thornaby Pavilion, Billingham Forum and Stockton Sports Centre have all transferred to the non-profit distributing organisation and will be re-branded as Active Life Centres.

Steve Chaytor, managing director of Tees Active, said: "Our aim is to produce the best possible leisure services and to encourage more people to take up physical activity.

"New investment has already begun with the refurbishment work at Thornaby Pool and Tees Active are developing further plans to improve facilities and services across the borough."