A popular park will be enjoyed “for generations to come” after a national campaign has won it protection from any future developments.

Westfield recreation ground in Harpenden was one of more than 100 fields set up by the Carnegie UK trust from 1927-35 which had been thought ‘lost’ to risks of development and regeneration.

After sinking £200,000 into over 900 parks across the UK in 1927 – equal to £10 million today – Carnegie UK has set up a campaign to save these playing field for being taken away.

It has managed to get legal protection for Westfield from Harpenden Council as part of its campaign with Fields in Trust which shortlisted 20 sites from public application to be granted the privilege.

Westfield was also successful in its application for a £5,000 improvement grant which will allow it a modern redesign including new outdoor play equipment and better seating.

Harpenden town mayor Cllr Nicola Linacre said: “Now Westfield recreation ground has been granted legal protection from any future re-development, local residents are reassured the park will be there to be enjoyed for generations to come.

“We are so pleased to have received funding from the trust.

“This has allowed us to make the site more attractive to local residents, improve play equipment, install a fitness trail and offer more seating so people can sit and enjoy the open space.

“We’re delighted with the improvements.”

A plaque has now been erected in the Westfield Recreation Ground to recognise it as a protected Carnegie-Fields in Trust site.