Grimsby park to get multi-sport floodlit pitch and court area

The new "playzone" in Grant Thorold Park will be on the existing tarmacked sports area

Plans for a new £208,000 sports area in a Grimsby park have been approved.

The "playzone" in Grant Thorold Park will feature a multi-games area with basketball hoops and football goals surrounded by a fence with floodlighting.

The Football Foundation provided 75% of the funding with the rest of the money coming from North East Lincolnshire Council.

It is expected to open later this year, a spokesperson for the council said.

The new facility will be built on the existing tarmacked sports area in the park and will consist of one 20 metre by 30 metre area that can be used for practising several sports, including football, basketball and hockey.

Dean Evison, the council's playzone programme officer, said it would support a range of sports and exercise.

"The idea is to get people into activities and to engage the local community," he said.

"The emphasis is on free-to-use community access, with a booking system to ensure fairness and safety.

"[The] playzone will also offer the opportunity for more formal sessions to be held, where groups can book for a small fee."