Bradford Council chiefs have chosen the private company they hope will take over many of the authority's swimming pools, libraries, sports centres and other public buildings as part of a £1.2 billion deal.

Carillion has been named as the preferred bidder from a shortlist of two companies through a process which started more than three years ago.

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

It could be a year before the company gets the go-ahead to take over, but the deal could see key services operated, managed and even upgraded by the private sector firm which has carried similar public sector work elsewhere in the UK.

Bradford Council hopes to save money over the 25-year length of the contract and provide more modern services.

Councillor Simon Cooke, the Council's executive member for regeneration, said: "Clearly this a very important and significant project for the Council. We have to sit down with officers and political groups over the next few days to discuss what the implications are and how we go about delivering quality services while protecting the interests of those who work for us."

Labour group deputy leader Councillor Dave Green said: "We are opposed fundamentally to any privatisation or outsourcing of facilities management as part of the Asset Management Project and that remains non-negotiable at this stage."

Liberal Democrat leader, Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, was told the news by text message. She said: "I have not seen a business plan for any of this project, so it is all very well people making announcements but I think members have a right to see a business plan before a decision is taken. If people want support for this they are going the wrong way about it."

Carillion was preferred over Bradford 21. A third company, Land Securities Trillium, pulled out of the bidding.

When contract negotiations began it was 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 and in February the executive agreed to continue bankrolling the project to the tune of at least £750,000.

Carillion has been involved with projects like the Tate Modern in London, Liverpool's Albert Dock, the government's new communications centre (GCHQ) and new hospitals in Swindon and Oxford.