Work has started to made improvements to a Norwich playground, while council bosses say it could get even better in the future.

Norwich City Council has appointed contractors CGM Ltd to start work on Pointers Field, which is off Aylsham Road, in the north of the city.

A new play area is being installed in the lower south west corner of the field, while the five-a-side goal will be replaced with two new larger goals in the opposite corner.

The new play area has an emphasis on natural play, with new equipment designed to encourage climbing and balancing over a bark pit.

This work has been funded from a grant of �27,500 from the government's Playbuilder scheme, which is especially for improving the opportunities for junior play.

Julie Brociek-Coulton, cabinet member for neighbourhoods north and east, said: 'In these tough economic times, it is all the more important that we make the best use of grants and developer's contributions to make improvements to the city.

'New play areas can make a big difference to a community. They allow people to relax and are an important part of encouraging child development – all at no cost to the people they benefit.'

The decisions about what work should be carried out and the equipment to provide were made after consultation with children from Catton Grove Primary School and the Catton Grove community centre.

The council is hoping to use more money from developers - known as section 106 contributions - to make more improvements in the future and plans to talk to local people about that in the autumn.

The majority of the park will remain open during the work, although access via Vicarage Road may occasionally be restricted.

The council says work, which should be finished by the end of March, will usually take place Monday to Friday between 7am and 5pm; and on Saturdays only if there are exceptional circumstances.