A NEW non-profit making company will take over the running of Canterbury City Council's five sports and leisure centres on April 1.

Active Life Ltd wants to improve facilities and customer service through re-investment, although thye council will retain ownership of the centres and provide grant funding. All existing staff and management team are transferring to the new company which has been operating with a shadow board of directors since last November.

Managing director designate, Neil West said: "The council is handing over the running of the centres to a not-for-profit company to create an environment to give greater customer focus and allow the service to grow and develop. All surpluses in future will be re-invested in the business."