A campaign by young Gypsies in Cornwall for a safe place to play has paid off with the launch of a multi-purpose sports pitch.

The £49,800 project, at Boscarn Parc, near Redruth, is part of a wider revamp of the site. It lies on what was an overgrown field, plagued by fly tipping and used for grazing horses.

The idea for the sports site came from the young Gypsies themselves, who took part in a consultation exercise organised by Cornwall Children’s Trust and identified a safe place to play as their main priority.

With the help of Devon and Cornwall Police and TravellerSpace, which supports Gypsies, Irish Travellers and New Travellers in Cornwall and the South West, they successfully applied to the Community Spaces programme for help.

They were actively involved in the entire bidding process, including making presentations to council officials, visiting other sites for inspiration and helping to organise the launch party.

The £49,800 Community Spaces grant has transformed the site and provided a valuable amenity for all local youngsters as well as the wider community.

To celebrate the completion of the project, a launch party attracted more than 50 visitors, who played five-a-side football, learned circus skills and took part in dance and craft workshops.

A spokesman for TravellerSpace said: “With comments from youngsters including ‘I love it’ and ‘really really really good’ we hope the children have many happy years of playing.

“The young people worked really hard to make their plans a reality. They should be proud of what they have achieved for their community.”

The young people were supported TravellerSpace, Pool School, Devon and Cornwall Police, Cornwall Council and the Eden Project.