A £1.4m scheme to boost sports participation in Ongar has been given a £200,000 boost from Essex County Council.

The project, which includes plans for football, netball, rugby and cricket facilities, has already received funding from Epping Forest District Council (£507,000) and the Football Foundation (£700,000).

Football pitches – including a floodlit artificial pitch – and a new cricket square are to be built at Ongar Leisure Centre, while existing pitches will be undergo restorative works.

Heather Harding from Epping Forest District Council said: “We are looking forward to developing a facility that will not only be an asset for Ongar, but for the whole district.

“We are grateful for Essex County Council’s support in providing this opportunity to offer improved sports facilities for the district.”