An under secretary of state visited a Leyton farm this week to view its progress since being acquired by a homeless charity. 

Brooks Farm in Skeltons Lane Park was taken over by Forest YMCA in April after it secured a 25-year lease through a £490,000 government grant.  

Parliamentary under secretary of state in the Department of Communities and Local Government, Stephen Williams, visited the farm on Tuesday and met the charity's chief executive, Timothy Pain and councillor Saima Mahmud. 

The Liberal Democrat MP for Bristol West said: "The visit gave me a real insight into Forest YMCA’s plans and I am confident that the all-new Brooks Farm will positively engage local people, be it to learn, volunteer or just enjoy the facilities.

"From what I’ve seen, the project has great potential and once completed will be a major asset to the local community."

The newly-refurbished Brooks Farm will re-open to the public in July.