FAMILIES and residents of Ashton Hayes are celebrating after funding was secured to buy the village’s playing fields.

Grants had been previously received from several organisations and local residents but a £45,000 donation from Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Rural Support Programme has completed the deal.

Ashton Hayes Sports and Recreation Association (ASHRA) will use the money raised to develop a recreation area, football pitch and play area.

Chairman of ASHRA Andrew Garman said that the rural support programme funding was the final piece of the jigsaw in securing the land.

He said: “The Ashton Hayes Sports and Recreation Association is extremely grateful to Cheshire West and Chester Council for this grant. Raising money to buy land for recreation is a difficult undertaking.

“We managed to raise the majority of what we needed with money from the parish council, local ward councillors’ grant, donations from residents and some other sources, but we still had a significant funding gap.

“The grant not only bridged the gap but provided further funds to landscape and develop the site.ŠIt made the difference between success and failure and we are grateful to the officers and councillors involved for responding to this community need.”

Following the purchase of the land, development work is expected to begin during the next few months.

Executive member for community and environment Lynn Riley said: “This is an excellent example of how the council is providing opportunities for different groups and individuals to come together to work up solutions that deliver what local residents want.

“In this case the big community idea comes from the community itself with the council then helping to facilitate and fund. Overall a winning partnership to getting things done.”