A cash boost for new sports facilities and play equipment has delighted youngsters across South Oxfordshire.

Seven playgrounds will receive facelifts and new equipment following a successful bid to the Big Lottery Fund by South Oxfordshire District Council for more than £200,000.

At Berinsfield a new skateboard park is planned, and a new multi-use games area with tennis courts will be built at Ladygrove Park in Didcot.

Playgrounds at Lee Road in Sonning Common, South Moreton and Beckley, near Oxford, will be revamped and new facilities will also improve play areas at Henley and Chinnor.

Didcot Town Clerk Dominic Stapleton said: "It is great news for Didcot. There are going to be three massive tennis courts, including a practice wall, as well as a marked out football pitch and basketball courts. The project as a whole is going to cost £88,442 with £70,753 from the Big Lottery Fund.

"We only have three tennis courts in Edmonds Park which in the summer are busy all day, every day. It is excellent because it will mean completely new facilities for the town.

"The whole point of it is it's accessible so people will not have to book, they can just turn up."

Didcot Town Council leader John Flood said: "It is something we have been waiting for with baited breath for a long time. It is brilliant news for Didcot."

Dene Taylor, a member of South Moreton's recreation ground committee, said: "It is brilliant news, we have got £25,000 and we will be putting in new equipment at the Sands Road recreation ground for the younger children because at the moment it is aimed at teenagers.

"We are hoping more people will use it because at the moment it's under-used."

Ann Ducker, leader of South Oxfordshire District Council, said: "I am delighted that our Big Lottery Fund bid was successful. Children and young people need things to do in their communities and this funding will provide much needed facilities across the district."

The council has worked with the seven town and parish councils to develop proposals for the play equipment.

It has added £120,000 of its own funding. Money from town and parish councils, alongside other grants, takes the total investment to nearly £500,000.