Residents will be encouraged to take part in sporting activities following a £9,000 cash injection to the Rochford district.

The funding boost will be delivered to the Active Rochford Community Activity Network following a successful application to Active Essex, and will be used to drive forward a series of projects in 2016 and 2017.

Steve Bish, chairman of the Active Rochford Community Activity Network, said: "I am delighted that we have received this funding, which will give a real boost to sporting activities in the Rochford District. I am particularly pleased that this will enable us to provide extra support to local clubs and to volunteer and ambassador schemes, which are the lifeblood of our communities.

Projects will include the set-up of a 'Flying Start Festival' aimed at reception-aged children and their parents. This will offer taster physical activity classes and healthy living workshops, to encourage children to stay active over the school holidays.

It will also support the development of disability sports, walking football and netball, and help pay for a leisure apprentice.

“Our hope is that this funding will mean we can entice more people to get active and take part in local sports," added Mr Bish.

The funds will also help to set up 'This Girl Can’ sessions based on the hard-hitting TV campaign aimed at getting more women to participate in sport and physical activity.

In addition, the over 50s will benefit from new 'Fit for Life' sessions, which will include 30 minute aerobic taster classes, coached badminton, squash, table tennis, walking football and bowls.

The Active Rochford Community Activity Network is made up of a number of partners involved in sport and physical activity locally.

Organisations who will work in partnership to deliver the above projects include Rochford District Council, Fusion Lifestyle, Castle Point & Rochford School Sports Partnership, Rayleigh, Rochford and District Association of Voluntary Services, and Active Life.