A VILLAGE play area has been saved from possible closure after fears it would be lost as a public space and even built on.

The future of Riverview Play Area in Colchester Road, Lawford was left hanging in the balance after a decade of rent price-hikes meant Lawford Parish Council was unable to keep up with the cost of leasing the land.

The council took over the playing field in 1992 and was charged £1 for the privilege.

Over the years the rent increased gradually to £250.

But last May it was revealed landowner Tendring Council wanted to bump up the annual sum to £2,000.

Furious parish councillors said they could not afford the increased rent and would be forced to give up the land.

They said Tendring Council could take the land back, but would not necessarily maintain it prompting fears it could be closed to the public and even end up being built on.

After turning down an application to hand the land over to the village, Tendring Council has now agreed to sell the land to Lawford Parish Council for £33,000, securing its future or generations to come.

David Ashley, Lawford's chairman, said: "We are delighted that, following negotiations over quite a considerable time, Tendring Council has now agreed to sell Riverview to us.

"This means it can be maintained long term for the benefit of Lawford parishioners and other visitors.

"It now means that Lawford Parish Council will own the land running all the way from Riverview, along the Essex Way path behind the high school and Highfields Primary, and across the new Summers Park area to Owls Flight Dell."

Lawford Parish Council has spent £82,000 providing equipment, maintaining the area and cutting the grass at Riverview over the past ten years.

That work will now continue while the council also looks to create a play area for younger children at the new Summers Park.