A “miserable” sports ground plagued by vandalism and asbestos could be revamped following mounting pressure from campaigners.

Jackey Bakers in Ramsgate was gifted to the people of the town by the first female mayor in 1924.

Nearly a century later, residents who use the site say it is unsafe and clubbed together to call on Thanet District Council (TDC) to overhaul the grounds, situated in the centre of Newington.

At a meeting of the full council on October 12, campaigner June Tyrrell presented to members a 1,500-signature-strong petition calling for the overhaul.

“Jackey Bakers, once home to a football and hockey astroturf pitch and cricket ground, has seen a huge decline in their facilities over the years,” she said in the council chamber off Cecil Street.

“The cricket ground is no more and the amount of vandalism caused to the astroturf pitch has deemed it unusable.”

The changing rooms and toilets on the site are known to contain asbestos.

Ms Tyrrell, 37, continued: “We feel the improvements required include extra bins located around the site, both general and dog waste, benches along the main path and outer edges of the football pitches, a changing facility complete with running hot water for showers and toilets, improved pitches for footballers and a car park.

“We have taken further feedback from the community and feel that a sports pavilion with a café on sight would be widely welcomed by all that use Jackey Bakers.

“A larger play area with picnic benches and a skate park would make great use of one of the unused pitches.

“Since launching the petition in June we have seen improvements starting to be made, with the grass being maintained to a better standard and new goalposts being provided.”

“We have a community action group where we will be advertising fundraising ideas to enable us to continue to contribute to any improvements for Jackey Bakers,” Ms Tyrrell added.

The motion was met with support from councillors at the meeting, with cabinet member Steve Albon (Lab) saying “Jackey Bakers and the redevelopment of that land is a priority for me, and I can assure you that along with myself and the senior officers of this council that is what we intend to do.”

In a response to the petition on the council website, an officer wrote that in the medium term “The council therefore proposes to demolish the pavilion subject to planning consent and the procurement of demolition services.”

They add that once this has been completed temporary changing rooms can be installed.

Cllr John Davis (Con) said during the meeting: “I’d just like to welcome this petition and to say as a lifelong resident of Ramsgate how much all residents support the maintenance of Jackey Bakers.”

Cllr Rebecca Wing (Green) also praised the petition, citing the £2 million makeover of Ellington Park in her Ramsgate ward as a model to look to.

Cllr William Scobie (Lab) cited the potential for the site to be used for events to generate money for the local authority “in a time where the council is struggling for money.”

Cllr Debra Owen-Hughes (Lab), who represents Northwood also praised the move, saying “The facilities at Jakcey Bakers are miserable to say the least.

“The pitches and surrounding areas are dreadful.”

Council leader Rick Everitt (Lab) committed to a report being given to the cabinet on the state of the beleaguered sports site and the possibilities for its future.