Southampton City Council is planning to sell off its loss making leisure facilities to private operators for 15 years.

According to the Southern Daily Echo, the leases for sports pitches on parks and recreation grounds across the city, a public paddling pool at the Common and the land around leisure centres were being put up for sale.

The sports pitches at Mayfield Park, Riverside Park, Green Park, Hoglands Parks and the Veracity, Lordshill and Millbrook recreation grounds could be offloaded, as could leases in land at the Alpine Centre, the municipal golf course, Southampton Sports Centre and Chamberlayne Leisure Centre.

However, the Tory council's proposals have been strongly contested by Labour opposition, who fear that the decision will cause prices to go up.

The public has until 7 January to object to the proposals.