COMMUNITY leaders have revealed their delight after receiving thousands for a new play area.

Sherfield English Parish Council have been given £18,000 to upgrade the playing facilities on its recreation ground after they were found to be 'out of date'.

MP for Romsey, Caroline Nokes, said she was 'really pleased' with the news.

Parish councillor Stephen Dovey said the equipment needed replacing and that the new facilities would be in place in a matter of 'weeks rather than months', though no final date has been decided upon.

Cllr Dovey said: "Our current equipment is rather old and didn't pass the most recent checks, so it is fenced off at the moment.

"We were delighted to have been given the money to upgrade it, as it is a little out of date."

Around £13,000 of the funding has come from Viridor Credits, which funds community, heritage and biodiversity projects through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The other £5,000 has come from the Sherfield English School Trustees.

New swings, a roundabout and a trampoline will all be built on the site.

Cllr Dovey added: "Of course we are excited about it, although no date has been announced for when it will open.

"We have a new pavilion built but still need funding to help decorate that.

"It will be a matter of weeks rather than months before it will all be unveiled, but I'm sure it will be used by children from around the area for a long time to come."

MP Caroline Nokes said on social media that she was 'really pleased to hear' that Viridor Credits had awarded the grant for the playing equipment.

Chairman of the council, Graham Leigh, said: "It's brilliant news, hopefully it is all in place sooner rather than later, but certainly it's a wonderful piece of news."