The new £26m City of Salford Community Stadium at Barton-upon-Irwell has been handed over to the venue's management company, following the completion of construction work.

A joint venture company comprising Salford City Council (SCC) and Peel Holdings will be responsible for operating the 12,000-capacity development.

Salford City Reds rugby league team is due to play its first match at the venue on 8 January, while community facilities including a full-size artificial pitch are also available.

Elsewhere, the scheme includes a recreational grass pitch; changing rooms; and conferencing and banqueting facilities. It will also be a 2013 Rugby League World Cup host venue.

SCC leader John Merry said: "We wanted to create a set of facilities that would be accessible to everyone and would really support local sport in the city."

Joint venture chair and Peel Group director of legal and corporate affairs Peter Hosker said: "[The stadium] will be an excellent community facility as well as a new home for the Salford City Reds."

Salford City Reds chief executive officer David Tarry added: "If you could look into the future and see the drama and history that this stadium will bear witness to over the coming years, you couldn't fail to be excited."