A GAMES area is set to be created on a disused skating rink in Dovercourt.

The boating lake, at Dovercourt Bay, will also be revitalised.

Town and district councillor Garry Calver has been working with Tendring Council’s leisure portfolio holder Pierre Oxley on the plans.

He said: “The skating rink has remained closed for years and is a waste of a prime recreational area on our seafront.

“Following recent discussions, Tendring Council intends to redevelop the site into a multi-use games area, which will make it available, free of charge, every day of the year.

“I have been assured the surface will still be suitable for roller skating but will also allow a wide range of other recreational activities.

“This part of our seafront desperately needs attention and these plans will make a big improvement.

“The biggest problem is the condition of the boathouse, but various solutions are under consideration.”

He added a plan had also been drawn up to improve the site of the boating lake, including refurbishing the perimeter and paths.

Mr Oxley said work needs to be done as soon as possible on the wooden frame around the boating lake, which could cost as much as £10,000.

Gerald Wallington-Hayes, chairman of the crime prevention panel in Harwich, said he was 100 per cent behind the plans.

TOWN leaders have pledged to support a project to get a street market in a “dormitory” town.

The recently-formed Harwich and Dovercourt Partnership, a group of traders, wants to see the facility in Dovercourt High Street.

During a meeting hosted by the partnership, Harwich town councillors signed a letter to Essex County Council asking for the High Street to be closed once a week, from Kingsway to Station Road, to enable a market to take place.

Karen Finn, partnership co-chairman, said the market would be of minimal cost to the town and district councils, as the pitch fees would cover the street’s cleaning and closure.

She added: “We have a list of 20 traders who wish to come here, including the current market traders at the football ground.”