Gwynedd Council in north Wales has set up a new company to operate leisure facilities in the region.

Byw’n Iach – a company limited by guarantee – will take over responsibility for the council's 12 leisure centres and 260 staff.

The move will allow the council to undertake a number of improvements and additions across the portfolio of sites.

According to Amanda Davies, Byw’n Iach managing director, the purpose for setting up the company was to secure a "sustainable leisure and fitness offer".

“Staff have worked very hard over recent months to prepare for the transfer and by now are looking forward with enthusiasm towards building on the success of the service within the Council," she said.

"The future will undoubtedly be challenging but we will be innovative and creative as we look for opportunities to realise our vision of ‘Every resident a customer, every family improving their health and wellbeing, every community benefiting.’

"That is our ambition for the service that Gwynedd people can expect from Byw’n Iach.”

Councillor Gareth Thomas, Gwynedd Council cabinet member responsible for leisure, added: “As a council, we want Gwynedd people to have access to quality leisure facilities and we hope that the decision to establish the Byw’n Iach company will help us to secure this for the future.”

Bywn'n lach has also joined Community Leisure UK, the association for charitable leisure trusts.