A NEW play area has been re-opened on derelict land a decade after a spate of vandalism had closed it.

Youngsters in Long Wittenham now have the summer holidays to try out the revamp.

Acklings Sports Field off High Street has re-opened 10 years after vandals wrecked the play equipment.

The village sportsfield has been levelled and now has with a five-a-side football pitch, a basketball court, a cricket pitch with wickets and a picnic bench.

Long Wittenham Parish Council secured a Lottery grant of almost £10,000 and contributed another £2,800.

The first play area at Acklings – a former allotments site – opened 20 years ago.

Fund-raising paid for swings and an adventure trail. Later additions included a slide, sand pit and a play fort.

After misuse and vandalism, the equipment became unsafe and was removed. The new Acklings opened this month, with football competitions, basketball games and cricket.

Council chairman Tom Bowtell called on young people to make use of the facility.

He said: “A lot of time, money and effort has gone into reviving Acklings.

“We hope that young people will enjoy it and look after it for future generations.”

He added: “We were looking for something for the teenagers in the village. We wanted to find something active for them to do.

“The area had fallen into disuse at least for the last three or four years and had been vandalised. No one was going there, really.”

The council hopes young people who play ball games on the green in Saxons Heath will use the sports field instead.

Some residents complained about nuisance and the council is considering banning ball games on the green, but more consultation will be done before a decision is made.