Work on the biggest single investment by Tendring District Council (TDC) in a children's play area gets under way next week.

The site next to Clacton Leisure Centre is to undergo a major £114,000 revamp - and it's just a taste of things to come across the district.

The scheme includes separate areas for younger and older children for the very first time.

Contractors will begin work on site on Monday (Oct 29).

Pierre Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Leisure at TDC, said he was very excited about the project and the overall progress being made on upgrading play areas right across Tendring.

"We asked people what they wanted, they told us they would like improved play areas for children and that is what we are in the process of delivering," he said.

"A number of sites have already received a much-needed facelift and I am in discussion with groups and parish councils in other parts of the District to see what we can do to help them."

The Council recently spent £145,000 to enhance three others sites - Eastcliff in Clacton, Jubilee at Walton and Cliff Park at Dovercourt.

In August TDC scooped £288,862 lottery cash which will be ploughed into a £1 million investment in youth facilities in Frinton, Frating, Dovercourt and Thorrington over the next 18 months.

The play area next to the leisure centre in Vista Road was totally cleared in preparation for the revamp earlier this year.

It will be replaced with 16 new pieces of equipment with high quality safety surfacing.

The Council drew up plans for the scheme and the preferred option was chosen by youngsters from the Tendring Youth Assembly.