A HIKE on rent at a village playing field to four times the current cost and new terms of use have been branded “an insult” by furious councillors.

Tendring Council has rejected Lawford Parish Council’s bid to take ownership of the village’s Riverview play area, in Colchester Road.

Instead, the parish council has been offered a new 30-year lease on the land with an inflated rent.

Speaking at Monday's meeting, councillor Alan Coley said: “I’m quite vexed really.

“We are doing them a favour – it’s an insult.

"I’m tempted to say forget it, you maintain it, you cut the grass, you maintain the equipment.”

Councillors agreed to pass the offer to their amenities committee for further discussion.

Nigel Brown, Tendring Council’s communications manager, said: “We received a proposal from Lawford Parish Council which unfortunately was not acceptable, although we do agree it took time to get to that decision for various reasons.

“However, we were able to offer revised terms for a lease at a concessionary rent level which we feel was a very fair offer.”