Mansfield District Council (MDC) has named Serco as its preferred operator to run leisure centres in a move expected to deliver "significant financial savings" to the local authority.

Negotiations will now start between the council and Serco to finalise terms before a decision is made to award the contract. Services will then be transferred to Serco in mid-2012.

Facilities set to be run by a trust created by Serco include Oak Tree Leisure Centre; Rebecca Adlington Swimming Centre; and Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex.

MDC portfolio holder for the environment Philip Shields said: "This will allow our leisure centres to be operated more efficiently and provide our residents."