A new children's playground will bring more of the community to a 'lovely area' of a town after its council secured £25,500 funding.

Watton Town Council took down the under eights park in Bridle Road six months ago after it fell into disrepair and became a health and safety hazard.

Now, after a successful bid to secure funding youngsters will see their park return in what will be an "attractive and modern" space.

Jane Scarrott, town council clerk, said she hopes more families will visit the area.

Ms Scarrott said: "Watton Town Council is grateful to have received the support needed from Breckland District Council for the Pocket Parks funding application.

"By replacing the equipment which has been lost we want to create an attractive modern, safe and inviting attraction for youngsters.

"This is a lovely area, or it could be, and we really want to push it, so people know it's here."

Currently the area has a large playing field, outdoor gym equipment and park equipment for older children. But the council have said the area has not been utilised by the community, with little knowing what it has to offer.

Ms Scarrott added: "Residents of the town have little knowledge of the Bridle Road Play Area and the town council wants to address this and encourage greater use.

"We have a year to get it up and running but we hope that it is in place by the summer and we are thinking about doing an open day event in May half term."

Pat Warwick, mayor of Watton, said: "It's a lovely, big space and it's definitely under-used.

"We want to get the whole community using it, it doesn't matter if you're at the other end of Watton come and visit Bridal Road."

The new playground, set to be introduced by the end of May, has been designed with an animal theme, to fit in with its natural environment, and a picnic bench to encourage families to stay while their children are playing.

Watton Town Council are planning an open day to mark the refurbishment and help raise awareness of the open space with its play and well-being facilities.