At a special meeting today, Harlow Council's Policy & Resources Committee chose 'preferred bidders' for three buildings closed by the council earlier this year.

BATTS - the Burnt Mill Academy of Table Tennis Skills - will begin negotiations to take on the Norman Booth Centre. Harlow Football Club will open discussions with the council with a view to leasing Ladyshot Family Centre. And Young Concern, currently based at The Hides, will start negotiations with Harlow Council for The Dashes Family Centre.

Cllr Robert Thurston and Cllr Lorna Spenceley attended the council meeting and took part in the decision. Cllr Thurston said:

"We've been very fortunate indeed to have some excellent local organisations putting in good bids to run services that will benefit our community. This is really great news - local residents will continue to enjoy local services, but now it will be at no cost to the taxpayer."