YOUNGSTERS in a Colchester community will not be bored this summer after a new £29,000 basketball court was unveiled.

Children, community workers and councillors attended the unveiling of the new court and a new youth shelter, at Mill Road recreation ground, in Myland.

Youngsters helped to raise much of the funds by applying to Essex County Council’s Youth Opportunity Fund.

Volunteers from the Mile End Neighbourhood Worker Group, Colchester Council, Community Action in Mile End (CAM) and Myland Parish Council also helped.

Jo Wheatley, community development officer at CAM, said the centre was the result of two-and-a-half years’ hard work by volunteers, politicians and children.

She said: “The kids themselves got the funding for the youth shelter and chose it from a bunch of options.

“We’ve worked hard to make sure there was really good support for the project.”

Youth club team leader Karen Johnson, from Colchester YMCA, said: “Everyone is really pleased with the new shelter and basketball area, which gives young people somewhere safe to congregate and something positive to do.”

Robert Johnstone, chairman of Myland Parish Council, told youngsters at the launch they had worked really hard to make improvements in their neighbourhood.

He said: “One September evening two-and-a-half years ago in 2006, a burger van parked up at Mill Road recreation ground.

“Over 40 young people turned up to fill out questionnaires about how to improve their neighbourhood, and get some free food in return.”