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Manchester City Council is inviting its own leisure services department and commercial sector operators to draw up schemes to fund and operate sports facilities for community use.

The city council now plans to set up a trust including representatives of the local community and sports organisations to take over managing and operating all indoor facilities across the city.

A January 20 deadline has been set for people to respond to the proposals and make their views known by email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it by fax on 0161 776 1928 and by post at Freepost MR10219, Manchester, M31 9SL.

Under the proposals, Abraham Moss Leisure Centre in Crumpsall will be up-graded and one of the Broadway Pools in New Moston will be replaced by state-of-the-art health and fitness facilities. Harpurhey baths will be replaced with new provision within the district centre.

Earlier this year Manchester City Council began consulting residents, community groups, sports clubs and voluntary organisations across the city about improving

They invited views on the city council's existing leisure facilities, the council's future role in providing and managing leisure opportunities and the new sports facilities to be provided at Sportcity and the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

The city council now proposes to provide a range of leisure facilities to meet the needs of local communities including casual users talented young athletes and local sports clubs.

These will include working with community groups, local sports clubs, schools, governing bodies of sport and regeneration agencies to provide services in schools, existing leisure centres, or community buildings.

A number of new and enhanced sports facilities are also being planned at local schools which, the city council says, will substantially improve the number and quality of community leisure facilities available in the city.