A community bid to build a skate park and improve a park's "neglected" recreation ground has been given a major cash boost.

More than £100,000 has been raised to create a new free-to-use outdoor skate park in East Peckham, near Tonbridge.

The wheeled sports facility would be built on the recreation ground at the end of Russett Road, opposite Jubilee Hall and the playing fields.

There are also additional plans to update the tennis courts, instal a running track and build a new playground with basketball courts and an outdoor gym area.

It's being led by businessman and former BBC Apprentice contestant JD O'Brien.

The dad-of-three, who lives nearby, first got involved after noticing various recreation grounds in Kent were "neglected" and no longer fit for purpose during lockdown.

"After I moved to East Peckham during Covid and while walking my dogs with my three kids, I saw a group building a bike track," he said.

"They did a great job but the weeds and nettles plus rubbish weather makes it hard to use so I have worked with the council to start a project to fundraise for a new wheeled sports project."

So far more than 100 people have responded to a survey showing their support.

The project has also been backed by East Peckham Parish Council, which is based on the site, as well as schools, who attended a cheque unveiling this month.

More than £100,000 has already been set aside to improve the town's recreation ground and bolster its cycling and wheeled sports offering.

The money has come from the FCC Communities Foundation which awards grants to fund environmentally-friendly projects which meet a proven community need, offer value for money and are sustainable.

The project comes fresh off the heels of another successful fundraising project spearheaded by JD at Swanley.

Earlier this month a new £250,000 skate park was unveiled at St Mary's Recreation Ground in the town.

Prior to the pandemic, the dad-of-three set up Concrete Wave, a community interest company, with a view to overhauling the park.

JD started a grassroots crowdfunder campaign to source funds to deliver the project and, despite setbacks, ground away with the support of others to get it over the line.

In October last year, he secured £150,000 in National Lottery funding, with the town council applying successfully for various grants to support his bid.

It's one of the most deprived wards in the Sevenoaks borough and JD believes both projects could be real "game-changers".

JD added: "Tonbridge is a big project but it will have a huge impact to get people fit using free council facilities with top programming."