Villagers are delighted after a green became the latest to be officially recognised - protecting the land from future housing developments.

Gooshays Green in Harold Hill is the most recent site in the borough to be given the status, Havering Council announced yesterday (August 12).

Village green status protects land from future developments "in perpetuity," the council said.

This comes after Hinchin Green in the same area was granted village green status on July 27 - Gooshays was the fourth recipient.

Angela King, a Harold Hill resident of 30 years who picks rubbish on the green weekly, said: "We’ve been fighting for this for a long time and didn’t think it would happen."

RELATED NEWS: Havering Council gives village green status to Harold Hill site

L-R: Cllr McGeary, Cllr Williamson and Cllr Morgon at the opening eventL-R: Cllr McGeary, Cllr Williamson and Cllr Morgon at the opening event (Image: Havering Council)

An opening ceremony on Sunday (August 11) was attended by council leader Cllr Ray Morgon, cabinet member Cllr Graham Williamson, Gooshays ward councillor Paul McGeary and residents.

Gooshays Green has joined Fleet Close, Wennington Green and Hitchin Green as a protected site.

"I am so pleased to celebrate another village green milestone with the local community," Cllr Morgon added.

A final village green dedication is set for tomorrow (August 14) on Dover's Corner, New Zealand Way, in Rainham.