Leisure centres in Oxford have been prepared for a new era with their new operators taking control.

Senior management from More Leisure Community Trust and Serco Leisure spent the Easter weekend cleaning the centres.

The teams worked at Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, the Leys Pools & Leisure Centre, Hinksey Outdoor Pool, and Oxford Ice Rink, aiming to get the facilities ready for users.

Workers from as far as Yorkshire and Maidstone travelled to Oxford to join the effort.

Oxford Mail: Cleaning work at Barton Leisure CentreCleaning work at Barton Leisure Centre (Image: Serco Leisure)

The initiative began at Barton Leisure Centre on Good Friday afternoon, with the mobilisation team cleaning both inside and out.

The team polished gym equipment, scrubbed floors, cleaned mirrors and removed weeds.

Over the four days, teams were assigned different areas of the city to tidy the remaining four centres.

Oxford Mail: Simon Lane, Serco Leisure’s managing director, taking part in the preparationsSimon Lane, Serco Leisure’s managing director, taking part in the preparations (Image: Serco Leisure)

Simon Lane, Serco Leisure’s managing director, who took part in the cleaning operation, said: "I am very proud of the commitment shown by our teams, who gave up their valuable time to support us and the leisure customers of Oxford.

"I would also like to thank each of the members of my senior leadership team, who supported across the four days.

"I’m sure they’ll agree that it was hard work, but actually a lot of fun."

Serco Leisure’s mobilisation manager, Craig King, added: "As Simon said, it’s been hard work, but it’s all worthwhile when you see how much we’ve done in a short space of time to get these centres looking the best they can be for the people of Oxford."

Oxford Mail: The team at Barton Leisure CentreThe team at Barton Leisure Centre (Image: Serco Leisure)

The new operators recently announced planned upgrade work, which will see full refurbishments for the gyms at Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre and the Leys Pools & Leisure Centre.

This work is excepted to be completed before the end of the school summer holidays.

Barton Leisure Centre, Ferry Leisure Centre, the Leys Pools & Leisure Centre and Oxford Ice Rink are currently running a promotion - 'Pay Nothing Till May' - for customers who sign up to a 12-month direct debit membership.

Users can take advantage of the promotion by using the promotional code FIT24 at the centre's website when signing up.

Serco Leisure received the contract to become the city's new operators despite protests at Oxford Town Hall.

A petition against awarding the contract to Serco received 900 signatures, but Oxford City Council voted unanimously to approve the company in January.

Serco received the 10 year contract following a "rigorous" process which involved a number of external bidders alongside an in-house comparator.