Plans to revamp the sports pavilion at Wickford Memorial Park have been given the go-ahead by Basildon Council.

The authority’s planning committee has approved proposals to redesign the pavilion.

The existing two-storey building will be reduced to a single floor thanks to a £287,000 grant from the Veolia North Thames Trust and £128,000 from Sport England.

The changing rooms will be redesigned into four separate areas and an officials’ room, each with showers, and a large open-plan cafe and function room will be created.

Kevin Blake, councillor responsible for leisure and arts, said: "We're committed to making Wickford Memorial Park a fantastic place for local people to come to for sport, recreation and relaxation.

"This is yet another milestone in a really worthwhile initiative that has had fantastic support from the community."

The scheme is part of a £1million programme of improvements at the park, off Rettendon Way, which includes restoring Memorial Avenue, the Garden of Peace and a riverside nature trail.

Doug Benjafield, chairman of the Veolia North Thames Trust, said: "The trust is happy to support the work of the council to improve a very popular public park that can be used for a variety of recreational and leisure activities."