DELIGHTED campaigners are celebrating after Harwich Green was officially marked as having Village Green status.

Representatives from Tendring Council and the Harwich Society were on site for the official unveiling of the sign adjacent to Harbour Crescent.

The new ruling means the green is protected from building development and is certain to be kept as a public open space.

Harwich Society chairman Colin Farnell said: “There have been many setbacks in this very long campaign but everyone has now come together.

“I am very grateful to everyone who has played a part in bringing this about and it is wonderful to think of how many generations of children will grow up playing on Harwich’s officially designated village green.”