Rochelle Humes from The Saturdays will open a new playground built following a monumental community fundraising effort.

On July 15 the playground on Poplar Row, Theydon Bois will be officially unveiled by the popstar turned Heart FM DJ.

This comes after construction work which will begin May 24, with the project expected to take six to seven weeks, during which time the playground will be closed.

Shelley Dix, chairman of the PAT committee, said: “We can’t believe it is finally happening.

“We are so excited to see what the playground will look like with its new equipment and flooring.

“We have really tried to get as many climbing frames and activities in there as possible which will be fun and exciting for a whole spectrum of children.

“We have tried to get the best value for money whilst also striving to create a top-quality playground that will last and be an attractive feature in the village.I

“t’s been a huge effort but well worth it.”

Once completed, the playground will have colourful rubber flooring as well as a large selection of play equipment for children aged two to 12.

Some parts will be suitable for children with wheelchairs.

Many people and businesses in the village helped raise the £155,000 required for the refurbishment over the last year.

As well as a £53,000 Biffa Award, Theydon Bois Parish Council donated £40,000 to the project, Theydon Bois Village Association gave £5,325 and the Theydon Bois Rural Preservation Society £1,000.

The PAT committee secured another £20,000 from the Communities Initiative Fund plus £5,000 from Epping Forest District Council, £2160 from the Rotary Club and £1,000 from Aviva.

Other notable donations came from Butler and Stag when Neil Leahy and two colleagues completed The Three Peaks Challenge in 24 hours to raise more than £5,000.

Elsewhere money came from Quality and Excellence butchers, Greens butchers, Lauren Louise hairdressers, The Bull pub, Esquires barbers and Tesco.

Due to the success of the fundraising, the playground will undergo a complete overhaul, in excess of the original plans, to include replacing the internal path, fencing and gates.