Three swimming pools in Manchester that offer "poor value for money" could be replaced with new facilities as part an £18m investment strategy announced by the local authority.

Manchester City Council's (MCC) communities and neighbourhoods overview and scrutiny committee has backed the proposals, which will now go before the executive on 18 January.

According to a report discussed by the council, there is a "compelling case" to replace three outdated buildings at Levenshulme, Miles Platting and Chorlton, which are expensive to run.

A new leisure centre in Beswick to replace Miles Platting Pool is proposed, as well as a joint leisure and library centre in both Chorlton and Levenshulme.

MCC anticipates that funding bids will be submitted to Sport England and other governing bodies for sport, while other sources such as land sales will be explored.

The proposals will also boost the number of city residents within a 20-minute walk or public transport travel time of a swimming pool from 91 per cent to 97 per cent.

Mike Amesbury, MCC's executive member for culture and leisure, said: "These innovative proposals will mean state-of-the-art leisure and library facilities for residents of the Levenshulme, Chorlton and East Manchester areas."