More than two dozen new boats are coming to the sailing centre at Fairlop Waters, it has been announced.

Redbridge Council confirmed it is set to spend an initial £55,000 on 26 new boats for the Fairlop Outdoor Activity Centre (FOAC).

This funding injection is part of a wider redevelopment project that will see 250 acres of green space added to the borough's largest country park.

A huge surge in visitors during the pandemic prompted the expansion announcement, as the council signalled its intention to add extra leisure, cultural and environmental facilities in a multi-million-pound investment.

Doubts existed over the future of the FOAC as recently as last month, amid fears it was set to close for good after staff were let go.

However, council leader Jas Athwal reassured residents this was not the case, insisting the facility was set for an upgrade ahead of reopening when Covid-19 regulations deem it safe to do so.

Cllr Athwal was delighted the new fleet will be ready by summer time, adding: "Over a ten-year period, the council has subsidised the FOAC by more than a million pounds to ensure it becomes successful.

“I am hugely supportive of Fairlop and the fantastic work that the centre does.

"Young people across our borough deserve access to a range of fun and exciting outdoor and indoor activities and many of these are available at Fairlop Waters.”

New sailing facilities were confirmed early on in the expansion project, with the council also committing to reducing the cost for residents from £6 to £4 per hour.

The new boats will replace the wooden seaways currently used by schools and groups.

Cllr Athwal confirmed the public consultation - ongoing since the project was announced in October - remains open, with the council determined to get as wide a range of views as possible.

This is to ensure residents feel included in the final design of the park, he added.

A provisional set of reopening dates - Covid regulations permitting - has been released, including boat hire from April 2 and instructor-led sessions for schools and groups from June 21 at the earliest.