Refurbishment to a former community sports club set is to be completed next week.

The modernisation of the Jubilee Park Pavilion in Love Lane, Ongar, formally known as the Ongar Social and Sports Club, has been underway since February 10, which marked the end of a bitter dispute between the community and the council prior to their takeover.

A poll carried out in December showed people in Ongar were against the council takeover, with 252 people voting against and only 163 voting for them.

The building, which recently had a premises licence granted, has welcomed improvement to seating areas and the dance floor as well as introducing a pool table and Sky Sports.

It has also been painted and cleaned ahead of the installation of a new kitchen, which is set to be unveiled at the town's annual town meeting on March 25.

Ongar MP Eric Pickles visited the site on Monday to oversee the changes and meet new club manager Angus McKenzie.

Council chairman councillor Diana Roberts said: "It was a pleasure to welcome Eric Pickles so that we could show him just how much improvement work has been carried out in just over a month.

“The new-look has been welcomed by customers and we continue to look at ways that we can improve the surroundings so that the whole local community can benefit from the excellent facilities that are available.”