A £50,000 grant from Sport England has been secured by Havering Council and, along with grants already secured, means the council can go ahead with plans to resurface the running track at Hornchurch Stadium.

The track – reportedly the oldest all weather surface in England – has not been available for competitive athletics due to the need for repairs and has been mainly used as a training venue for Mayebrook Athletics Club.

As well as a new synthetic track surface, the development project includes improvements to field facilities such as the long jump and triple jump pits, the pole vault and throwing areas.

Grants already secured by Mayesbrook Athletics Club and the council – which is providing £83,000 – include £75,000 from the London Marathon Charitable Trust and £50,000 from Cleanaway Havering Riverside Trust. The £50,000 from Sport England was awarded under its Community Athletics Refurbishment Programme.

Doug Tierney, chair of Havering Mayesbrook Athletic Club, said: “This is great news. The athletics club will now be able to bring competitive athletics back to Havering.”