An outdoor sports area which will be shared between a village school and the community has been officially opened.

The £186,000 multi use games area (MUGA) is on the playing fields behind Kingsnorth Primary School.

It has a fenced all-weather surface, is marked out for football and has basketball hoops, goal posts and lighting.

The area was opened by the Mayor of Ashford, Cllr Geraldine Dyer, yesterday.

First to use it were primary school pupils and the 1st Shadoxhurst Scouts who played basketball.

The MUGA is run by Kingsnorth Parish Council.

Parish clerk Len Bunn said it could be adapted for different activities.

It will be used by the school in term time and can be hired by residents at other times and at weekends.

“We have worked hard for a long time to get this,” said Mr Bunn. “We started talking about it five years ago and to bring it to fruition has taken some time. It is a great facility for the area.”

Parish council chairman Alison Breese said: “The playing fields are at the centre of the village. We are a growing community and you need the facilities to support that.”

The money for the MUGA came from a section 106 agreement for the Bridgefield homes, where a developer gives money for community facilities.

Cllr Breese told guests at the opening that the MUGA would provide pupils with an all-weather sports pitch and the parish council with a regular income to meet maintenance costs.

Hire charges are likely to start from £15 an hour. Anyone interested should call Mr Bunn on 01233 502969 or email kingsnorth.clerk@btconnect.com