WORK is due to start in the new year on new public toilets in Wickford Memorial Park.

Basildon Council is investing £100,000 in the project, as part of its parks improvement programme. The work at the Runwell Road park should be completed by spring.

Tony Ball, leader of Basildon Council, said: “This investment follows the recent improvements made to the Wickford War Memorial, and we hope that investing in new public facilities will help to attract more people to the park.

“Good public facilities are essential for parks like this and are of great benefit to residents.”

Basildon Council has recently invested £300,000 into Lake Meadows, in Billericay, £160,000 on new allotments and a multi-use sports area in Victoria Park, Laindon, and more than £1.5million due to be spent on major improvements to Gloucester Park, Basildon, including a new play area, lake and pathways.

Kevin Blake, councillor responsible for leisure and arts added: “We are committed to investing in key parks across the borough and parks like Wickford Memorial are hugely important to the council and the people of Wickford.”