A new leisure trust – Active Luton – is to take over the running of Luton Borough Council's leisure services from the beginning of November.

The not-for-profit organisation will take over the management of seven facilities in the council's portfolio – the Lea Manor Recreation Centre, Lewsey Park Pool, Luton Regional Sports Centre, Stockwood golf course and athletics club, Wardown swimming pool, Putteridge Leisure Centre and Wigmore Hall.

More than 250 staff will transfer from the council to the trust. Its board will be made up of a variety of local people from businesses, schools and community organisations around Luton.

The council hopes that the move will free up more than £1m for investment in sports facilities and predicts that savings in excess of £500,000 per year will be made.

Helen Barnett, the council's sports strategy manager who will lead Active Luton, said: "We're all really excited by this. Local sport will be a certain winner." Details: www.luton.gov.uk