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AXMINSTER finally looks set to take possession of the former St Mary’s hospital field.

Mayor Andrew Moulding told town councillors the handover of the land for community use was likely to be finalised in the spring.

Its conversion to a sports and play area is expected to be the town’s main project to mark the Queen’s diamond jubilee next year.

He said it could be known as The Jubilee Field.

The battle to save the area - one the last green spaces on Axminster’s southern flank – has raged for decades.

The breakthrough came after Betterment Properties (Weymouth) Ltd bought the land from the health authority - along with adjoining fields off Duke’s Way.

As part of their planning permission to put up some 120 homes – around 40 per cent of them affordable housing – they agreed the hospital field will not be built on.

Instead they plan to turn it into a scaled-down soccer pitch for local youngsters and build a community playground there.

Mr Moulding told town councillors last week that all the work would be done before the handover.

“And a sum will be given to the town council for maintenance for the next ten years so we should not need funding,” he added.