IMPROVEMENTS to sports facilities at the town's second-largest park have been completed following an investment of £112,000.

Several artificial pitches at Palmer Park, east Reading, have been refurbished ahead of schedule.

The original pitches were installed more than 10 years ago and had become worn out.

Further projects will be carried out at Palmer Park Stadium in December, with 28 new pieces of gym equipment set to be introduced.

An overall investment of £786,000 is being made across the town to rejuvenate parks, with works set to carry on until 2020.

Councillor Graeme Hoskin, lead member for Sport, said: “I am delighted we are in a position to deliver such an extensive plan of improvements across Reading’s green spaces, with some great work recently completed at Prospect and Cintra parks.

"I am also pleased the sports stadium will also benefit from new gym equipment due to be installed in December.

"We want residents of all ages to benefit from using our sports facilities and I hope this will encourage many more to do so.

“Where we live and the quality of our immediate environment has a huge impact on our quality of life and wellbeing.

"This level of investment shows we are committed to keeping the town clean, safe, green and active.”

The programme of upgrades was approved by the Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee in March.

Most of these schemes will be funded by contributions from developers secured through Section 106 agreements.

The sports stadium at Palmer Park will benefit from a range of new equipment, including treadmills and static bikes, following a further £35K investment that was approved in September.