Land has been secured for an estate without many facilities to build a much-needed community centre.

While there is still much work to do to secure funding for the Blenheim Grange estate, between Watton and Carbrooke, this has been hailed as the first step in the community project.

The estate has been forced to use a shipping container as its community centre in the meantime.

Money has been made available by housing developers for a play area for the estate and with land coming in to the parish council's possesion it can now begin to look at starting work ahead of the summer.

Carbrooke Parish Council chairman Debbie Muller said: 'It is good. Obviously there is a long way to go but it is a first step I suppose.

'Nobody has given us any funding yet so there is still a long process to go through.

'There is also an area earmarked for a play area. We have had funding from some of the developers for play equipment so hopefully that means we can get started with that and there will be some facilities there for people.'

Previously youngsters had been gathering on a roundabout as there was nowhere else to play.

The government planning inspectorate granted permission for the estate to be built in 2001, after Breckland Council had refused permission, on the former RAF Watton site.

Mid Norfolk MP George Freeman, who had convened a community steering group for the project, said: 'For too long too many developments like Blenheim Grange, between Watton and Carbrooke, have gone without proper community facilities.

'This estate has over 1500 people but no school or community centre other than a disused container into which the residents squeeze for occasional events.

'This is a long overdue bit of good news and and a lovely Christmas present for local residents.'

A parish council spokesman said: 'We are working with the Blenheim Grange Residents' Association and other local organisations including Sure Start, the police and the housing associations to see how a more permanent community centre can be provided.

'Ensuring transfer of the land to the Parish Council was the first hurdle, and it has taken some time and a lot of work to get this far. Now that we have achieved this, we can press on with fundraising for a community centre.' What do you think? Write, giving your full name, address and daytime contact details, to tbw.letters@archant.co.uk.