Halstead could be getting another area of outdoor gym equipment.

There is already a selection of fitness equipment on the Courtauld Sports Ground, off Colchester Road, but Halstead Town councillors are considering putting the same in the south of the town.

They are proposing the Ramsey Road park, which the council has recently bought from Braintree Council for £1.

Town Clerk Mike Murkin said: “I don’t know where the idea originated from, but it was mentioned by a councillor at one of the meetings so I imagine it was a resident who asked for it.

“Off the top of my head, the Courtauld equipment cost about £15,000 to £16,000 and I imagine the cost of this will be similar.”

Equipment can include a chest press, rower, leg press, sit up benches, triple pull ups and a pull-down exerciser, among others.

It is available for free use to those visiting the park and is seen as a good way for people who can’t afford gym memberships to exercise.

Halstead Town Council had hoped to use £8,353 section 106 money from a development on Colchester Road to fund the project, but the money had already been allocated to improvements on the River Walk by Braintree Council.

Despite this, Mr Murkin said the idea was not being abandoned.

“We need funding for it at the moment,” he said.

“It is something we will look for in the future with other developments.”

Residents are split over whether the equipment is a worthwhile investment.

Kirsty Hay said: “It will be a great improvement on what is in the town already, as long as it can be maintained and looked after, of course.”

Chris Williamson asked: “How much does the gym equipment on Courtauld Sports Ground get used?”

Sally Barter said: “I think it is a lovely idea.”