A PARISH council is celebrating after officially opening a village’s first recreational open space.

Little Oakley Parish Council last year secured a parcel of scrubland from Essex County Council after spending three years in negotiations.

The village was the largest in the Oakleys and Wix ward without an open space for villagers to use.

The parish council matched funded a £15,000 grant from Tendring Council, meaning there was £30,000 available for equipment and facilities at the site, which has been named Oakley Coronation Park.

Mike Bush, district and parish councillor, said: "We are delighted to provide the first community recreational and play space facility in the village after securing the land from Essex County Council.

"The facility has a variety of play activity equipment, seating areas and wildlife zones.

"The first phase of this project was officially opened on Saturday by the deputy lieutenant of Essex Nigel Spencer.

“Following an arduous three-year journey of negotiations with Essex County Council, I am delighted that Little Oakley Parish Council has secured this lease to create an open play and recreational piece of land at the end of Lodge Road.

"Little Oakley has been deprived of public open space for far too long.

"I am determined to source more funding to provide further facilities to meet the needs of our diverse and deserved community."

Dave Attrill, the chairman of the parish council,added: “The parish council records show that they have been in search for open space since the 1970s, firstly behind the old school house in Rectory Road and later off Harwich Road."