DC Leisure has been appointed by Birmingham City Council (BCC) to operate and manage the city's first new public swimming pool to be built for more than 20 years.

The £12.2m Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre will remain under local authority ownership, with facilities to include a 25m main pool; a learner pool; and a 60-station adult gym.

An interactive children's fitness suite and an aerobics and dance studio are also proposed as part of the facility, which is to open on 3 January and is currently £600,000 under budget.

DC Leisure signed an initial 10-year contract to operate the complex following a competitive tender process, with an option of a five-year extension subject to "satisfactory performance".

BCC cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture Martin Mullaney said: "This deal with DC Leisure means council taxpayers in Birmingham will no longer pay for the running costs of the centre.

"We're now going through a competitive tender process to build another new facility in Sparkhill - as part of a wider swimming pool strategy - underlining our ongoing commitment to community swimming across the city."

Cambridge-based architects Saunders Boston were chosen by Wates Construction to design the new Harborne Pool and Fitness Centre, which is on the former Harborne Baths site.