PLAYGROUNDS and sport pitches in the area are set to benefit from a £4.7m makeover in time for the 2012 Olympic games.

Greenwich Council secured the funding from the Government's Playground to Podium scheme designed to provide first class sporting facilities for British sporting youngsters in the build up to the London games.

More than £52,000 additional funding for the scheme is also coming from the Big Lottery Play fund with a further £100,850 coming from the Greenwich Waterfront Regeneration Agency.

Improvements to the borough are due to start immediately with work expected to be complete by 2011.

Greenwich Council cabinet member for culture and Olympics, Councillor John Fahy, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Greenwich to help increase and improve the standard of sports facilities and park environments.

"Large residential communities will have easy access to these new improved facilities, which will be complemented by the development of the three Olympic venues in the borough and plans for new facilities in our schools.

"Better still - all the improvements will come at no extra cost to local council tax payers.”

The following work should be complete by 2011:

Plumstead Gardens in Church Manorway – A new play area will be built with play equipment and landscaping for older young people. Spectator seating will be added to the football pitch area along with new cricket nets and a multi-use games area.

Bostall Heath in Abbey Wood - Running distance markers will be put up with orienteering aids. Meanwhile there will be renovations to the bowls pavilion which will feature a new electric roller shutter and four replacement cricket nets.

Bostall Gardens in Abbey Wood – Two existing tennis courts will be marked along with re-roofing, resurfacing and re-fencing in the gardens.

Plumstead Common – The bowls and tennis clubs will be repaired and internal improvements made to the pavilion.

Charlton Park – The showers will be upgraded and the eastern changing rooms decorated.