A company has been chosen to run a popular former leisure centre.

Fleet Leisure and Sports Club, in Nelson Road, Northfleet, was gutted by fire last summer and in the run up to the blaze Gravesham council had been gearing up to hunt for potential operators.

The fire doesn't seem to have slowed that process down and in September applicants were invited to bid for the long-term lease.

Two companies were put forward to the final stage of the process and now one has been selected as the preferred bidder, having scored 75% in a head-to-head.

The site has been vacant since its 2013 closure, with ambitious plans for its restoration repeatedly falling through and the council having to quash rumours it was to be replaced by housing.

A cross party group was formed to oversee the tender process with a decision made that Fleet Leisure would be run predominantly as a football club and a full-size artificial pitch built.

According to the council's initial timetable the company, identified as Bidder B, will sign a contract next month ahead of the land being transferred in May.

However, according to a report presented to the council's cabinet on Monday it is likely the lease will not be formally awarded until further plans for the site are submitted.