Union leaders are demanding assurances on jobs after a new private property managing firm was unveiled to look after Bradford's council buildings.

Carillion, which is involved with projects like Tate Modern in London and Liverpool's Albert Dock has been named as the preferred bidder.

It will manage buildings such as office blocks, swimming pools and libraries as part of a £1.2 billion deal.

As revealed in later editions of yesterday's Telegraph & Argus, Bradford Council hopes the switch to the private sector will save money over the 25-year contract.

But Patrick Kerry, from Unison, said he wanted staff to be only "loaned" to Carillion from the Council to protect their jobs.

He said: "We have grave concerns about their plans for our employees and members.

"There has already been talk about some redundancies."

He said they would be seeking urgent talks with the company to discuss issues such as day-to-day management of staff and how they may be seconded.

He said many of them are low paid such as cleaners and often have to hold down two jobs to earn a living wage.

"We are concerned about the impact on them," he said.

He also said there were concerns about Carillion's ability to deliver public services.

Carillion, based in Wolverhampton, was named yesterday after a three-year search for a company to take over the buildings.

If approved at next week's meeting of the ruling executive group, it will be debated by Council later this month.

A spokesman for Carillion said it was too premature to comment on any of the issues.

She said: "We have made no formal announcement and at this stage it would be too premature to say anything."

It had been hoped a deal could be reached by November last year but union leaders pulled out of talks. The delayed process has so far cost at least £2 million.

Councillor Simon Cooke, the Council's executive member for regeneration, said it was an important and significant step for the Council.

"We have to sit down and discuss what the implications are for delivering quality services and protecting the interests of those who work for us."