The new contractors entrusted with Hounslow's parks, pools and play areas are to build three new hubs in Heston, Isleworth and Feltham to bring libraries and other services under one roof.

John Laing Integrated Services and Fusion Lifestyle won contracts worth around £100 million to manage libraries, community halls, parks and cemeteries from today after troubled company CIP were ditched earlier this year.

Council leader Cllr Peter Thompson pledged: "For every resident in this borough, this decision means major investment and massive improvement. People will see cleaner parks, better leisure centres, and enhanced libraries within a year. This is truly the beginning of a new era and an exciting moment in the borough’s history.

Cllr Adrian Lee, lead member for leisure and culture, added: "The tendering of leisure and cultural services, worth more than 100 million pounds, was one of the largest value and most significant contracting exercises in this borough’s recent history therefore it was imperative that we got it absolutely right. So, while this process has taken time, we were determined to secure the best possible arrangement for residents, and we feel we have achieved that."

The council has promsied an extra £2 milliion over the next 10 years to improve the shoddy state of the borough's park and graveyards, highlighted in the Chronicle in recent weeks.

For an in-depth investigation into Hounslow's leisure services see this week's Chronicle, out on Thursday.