A TRACTOR plant and a farm will be transformed into park-and-ride schemes during the Olympics.

Barleylands Farm, in Billericay, and Case New Holland tractor plant, in Basildon, are among four sites which will offer the park-and-ride to spectators at the mountain biking event in Hadleigh.

Waterside Farm Leisure Centre on Canvey and land at Sandon, in Chelmsford, have also been signed up by the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Site owners will be paid undisclosed fees for the land hire.

Up to 7,000 parking spaces will be available for ticket-holders across the four sites during the event, at Hadleigh Farm, on August 11 and 12 next year.

Fields at Barleylands Farm, in Barleylands Road, will be converted into a makeshift car park, with 2,000 spaces.

The farm’s attractions will remain open to visitors, who will have access to a designated car park.

Phil Burrows, commercial manager for Barleylands, said he hoped it would attract more tourists to the area.

He added: “We are very excited to be providing a park and ride service for the Olympic games.

“Barleylands Farm Park and Craft Village has so much to offer and is full of fun activities for the family and talented crafts people.

“We welcome the opportunity to attract more tourists here and to Essex.”

There will be 3,000 spaces at Castle Point Council-owned Waterside Farm, in Somnes Avenue, and the tractor plant, in Cranes Farm Road, will offer 1,300 spaces.

The Sandon site, at Grace’s Cross, will be used for up to 700 cars if demand exceeds the capacity offered by the other three sites.

Drop-off and pick-up coach points, food and drink stalls, temporary toilets and lighting towers will be created at the sites.

The Olympic Delivery Authority will be responsible for submitting any planning applications to build on the site and pay for any work.