A ROYAL visit is planned for popular park, which will host an opening event days earlier.

Campaigners were delighted a year ago when Claybury Park in Woodford Bridge was transferred to the authority but no official opening event has taken place.

The fun day is set for September 4 and there is likely to be live performances, face painting, magic tricks, fair rides and more.

Fears were raised about the opening event at a meeting at Fulwell Cross Library last Friday, July 30.

The meeting was called to discuss the opening event and Alan Howe, of environmental group Barkingside 21, said an application for a licence for the event was a cause for concern for some at the meeting.

He said: "You need a licence for such an event and the application went in for a licence for every day of the year, just for this one event.

"Some people went a bit berserk about it but trying to explain that there would not be events all year didn't cut any ice."

Mr Howe said there was a "bit of a question mark" over the event at the moment as the licence application is yet to be heard by the council's licensing committee.

He said: "I think it will go through, I don't think objectors would have a chance in hell."

Two days after the fun day, on September 6, the Duke of Gloucester is scheduled to visit the park Christened Richard Alexander Walter George, the Duke of Gloucester is first cousin to the Queen.

He is due to visit the 70-hectare green space which was handed over to Redbridge Council after years of being owned by developers Crest Nicholson.

A plaque is also due to be unveiled.