A NEWLY refurbished play area designed to keep sporty youngsters amused has opened in Chigwell's Limes Farm Estate.

The shiny new equipment at the site includes football goals, tennis nets, basketball hoops, new playing surfaces and special “rebound” fences.

The project came about after Epping District Council secured £40,000 in funding from the National Lottery.

The area will be used by nearby Limes Farm Junior School during the day, while the evenings will see training and sporty events for children and teenagers in the district as part of the council's Tottenham Hotspur Foundation Social Inclusion Project.

The authority's portfolio holder for Leisure and Wellbeing, Brian Rolfe, said: “By securing Lottery funding the council has been able to provide a first class facility for Limes Farm, in particular, local children and young people.

“Following the success of the new playground installed last year, we were delighted to support further investment as part of our commitment to the local community.”

A celebration to mark the re-opening of the park saw children watch a display of football skills by Billy Wingrove of Tottenham Hotspur Foundation.

They also enjoyed a variety of sports training sessions by groups such as the Chigwell Tennis Club.