An ‘outdated’ and ‘tired’ games area has been brought into the 21st century after receiving a £60,000 makeover.

The facility at Manstone Lane has been turned into a multi-use games area for all ages after town and district councils splashed ‘Section 106’ funding - cash from developers - on the project.

Residents put a games area at the top of a wish-list when asked by councillors how to spend £250,000 on outdoor sports facilities in the town.

Youngsters from Sidmouth Youth Centre and the newly-formed Sid Valley Netball Club enjoyed the new facility when it officially opened on Tuesday night.

Newly-elected chairman of the town council Ian McKenzie-Edwards said: “I am extremely pleased to see the previous tired games area getting a 21st century overhaul.”

The refurbishment of the site included new floodlights and new markings and goals for sports such as basketball, netball, five-a-side football and skill walls.

Councillor McKenzie-Edwards said the Manstone area was a ‘centre of activities’ for youngsters with the youth centre, football club, games area and skate park nearby, but added the council was looking to invest and improve facilities.

He added: “It’s a progressive thing, there is an ongoing review. We are not going to rest on our laurels. Other things are actively being looked at but we cannot do it all at once.”

The town and district councils consulted Sidmouth Youth Centre on the design to include colours that match the newly-painted mural on the side of the building.

An East Devon District Council spokeswoman said: “Since 2008, we have been allowing the community to make the decisions on how money from new developments for play and sport in the area is spent. This games area was a joint project between us, the town council and the local community. It’s great to see how popular it’s being with local young people already.”

Sidmouth Town Council is working Devon County Council to transfer ownership of the land for it to maintain the games area for the community.