The finishing date for a park’s long-anticipated £70,000 makeover including a tennis court and gym has been revealed.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) is rolling out a raft of improvements to Hythe Road Recreation Ground - more than five years after plans were first revealed.

The authority has selected the 18-acre plot opposite Willesborough Post Office for several upgrades.

Sitting between Hythe Road and Osborne Road, ‘The Rec' has long been a hotspot for thousands of visitors throughout the year.

Already boasting a zip line and other play park equipment, it also features two playground areas next to the main site.

Currently boarded up, the bigger of the two is to be transformed into a new multi-use games area (MUGA).

Once complete, fencing, line painting and a permanent net will ensure it can be used for tennis and pickleball.

This will be alongside new callisthenics equipment to allow gymgoers to strength train outside by using their body weight for resistance.

Meanwhile, the area's existing basketball court has been resurfaced to facilitate other ball games next to the tennis court.

A spokesman for ABC says the work will be completed later this month.

They explained: "The project to improve Hythe Road Recreation Ground facilities is ongoing.

"It has already delivered enhancements, with improvements to all weather access pathways across the site, as well as resurfacing to the smaller MUGA which is now in use.

"Enhancement to the play area is also planned along with tree planting and an extension of the existing orchard."

Once complete, the project will cost more than £70,000 and has been generated through Section 106 contributions from developers.

Cllr Steve Campkin believes the initiative will provide some benefits - both now and in the future.

The Green party representative for Willesborough Lees said: “On the east side (Hythe Road) is the really exciting bit - lots more trees.

"There will be fruit trees extending what is already there, with grass left to grow except for mown paths, and then more random trees around the perimeter including around the sports fields to provide shade for spectators."

When speaking about changes to the play park, he added: "The small, red climbing frame is coming out to be replaced with an accessible roundabout for wheelchair users.

"[And] the sandpit will be replaced with a bigger, better climbing frame and two more wooden structures.

"On top of this, Aspire (Landscape Management) should be clearing vegetation in the cricket ground car park so KCC can restore the so-called missing link, and they are also looking into drainage where the Church Road alleyway meets The Rec.”

He continued: "There was discussion for an artificial wicket for the future which is feasible with future funding, and this will also include five-a-side pitches instead of senior.

"This will be the culmination of five-and-a-half years work between ABC, KCC, North Willesborough Community Forum and residents, and we are really excited about it."