Astroturf pitches in £30,000 revamp

At present, the courts are locked because of vandalism and misuse. But it is hoped that when the facelift is complete, they will be regularly used again by local football and tennis clubs.

The work includes the replacement of solid board panelling around the courts with a strong metal mesh.

Andrew Hinchley, a landscape architect from Ashfield District Council, said: "It is hoped that by opening up the pitches visually, we will discourage misuse of the area.

"We currently have problems with youths hiding behind the boards, drinking and damaging the surface and equipment, as well as dog-owners using the pitches as a dog-exercising area.

"Opening the pitches up in this way should discourage such activity through informal surveillance and also make it feel safer."

The project has been funded by a section 106 allocation – money which is provided by housing developers.

Titchfield Park was allocated 117,000 by councillors on the council's Hucknall Area Consultative Group. The money is to be used for modifications to the skate park and improvements to the car park, as well as the Astroturf pitches.

The news has been welcomed by residents who wanted to see the pitches open again in time for the lighter summer evenings.

Ciaran Riley said: "It will be nice to see the pitches used for sport again as they are supposed to be.

"I think they were definitely in need of a spruce-up."