A village is celebrating following the opening of a much-needed play park for the local children after a decade of campaigning.

Eastern Daily Press: The park before work began. Photo: Earsham Playing Field CommitteeThe park before work began. Photo: Earsham Playing Field Committee (Image: Archant)

Earsham Park, situated just off The Street, was officially opened on Friday, September 1.

Funding for the project came from a £41,500 grant courtesy of WREN, as part of its FCC Community Action Fund.

The brand new park now boasts a bandstand, zip wire, spider web swing, baby and junior swings, a log climber, two rockers, a pirate ship and a Captain Mannering tower.

Previously people in the community were forced to visit parks outside the village due to the poor condition of their own facility.

Eastern Daily Press: Children enjoying the new facilities at Earsham Park. Photo: Earsham Playing Field Committee.Children enjoying the new facilities at Earsham Park. Photo: Earsham Playing Field Committee. (Image: Archant)

Rachel Gunton, chairman of Earsham Playing Field Committee, said: 'This vital facility is going to make a real difference to those who use it, as well as the wider Norfolk and Suffolk community.

'We are extremely grateful to WREN for providing funding as we would not have been able to go ahead without its support.'

Mrs Gunton previously expressed the shared sense of achievement she and her husband had knowing their children are aware of the role they played in renovating the park for the community.

The committee have worked for nearly 10 years trying to make the project a reality, including collaborating with Earsham Parish Council to secure funding.

Many local families were present at the launch party to enjoy the new facilities along with South Norfolk councillor Murray Gray.

Ben Walker, WREN's grant manager for Norfolk, said: 'It's wonderful to see something we have funded finally open and this amazing play area will make such a difference.

'Not only to the local youngsters but to their families too, within Earsham and I am sure further afield.'

He added: 'WREN is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that benefit local communities and this is great example of what can be achieved.'

WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, conservation and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.

The business has granted over £200m to more than 7,000 projects since 1998 which benefit people living within 10 miles of a FCC Environment landfill site.