A campaigner says a council pledge to pay for the upkeep of a new playground will make a “huge difference”.

Chairman of the Aldersbrook Playground Campaign, Jo Blackman, says Redbridge Council’s agreement to pay to look after the potential play area in Wanstead Park is significant progress in the campaign to get one built.

It is a year since Ms Blackman and other parents in Aldersbrook launched a petition to create a play area for the children in the area, which has since gathered over 400 signatures

Parents have said they currently have to walk 45 minutes to get to the nearest play facilities in Christchurch Green in Wanstead.

Ms Blackman said: “Redbridge’s promise to fund maintenance of the playground is really great news.

“The council’s support will really make a huge difference to the campaign, removing a major obstacle in the fight to get the playground built.”

A council spokesman said: “We would be happy to consider covering a day-to-day inspection regime and general low-level maintenance of a future playground in a space in Wanstead Park.

“This would be dependent on the design of any scheme and subject to an agreement with the City of London.”

In a statement in January, the City of London Corporation that manages Wanstead Park said: “If the London Borough of Redbridge was willing to fully fund and maintain a natural play area, the Epping Forest Committee would consider hosting it."

Ms Blackman said she is hopeful that the £5 million Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid, which could be approved in the coming weeks, will provide the £60,000 needed to pay for the park’s play equipment.

The City of London Corporation has been contacted for comment.