A PLAY area that Winsford children helped shape has been given the official seal of approval.

Pupils from St Chad’s Church of England Primary School, Darnhall Primary School and The Winsford Academy, and local residents were all involved in the Minster Close play area consultation.

The £55,000 scheme was funded by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC), FCC Environment Ltd, through landfill communities funds distributed by WREN, and Muir Housing.

CWAC councillors David Armstrong and Stephen Burns also dipped into their Member Budgets to help transform the play area.

Councillor Burns said: “The much – improved play area looks absolutely fantastic and I am sure that it will be a firm favourite with toddlers and children.

“This is also the result of great partnership working between everyone involved in the project.

“Consultation about the scheme began last year and it was very important that local children and residents helped shape the plans.

“The old play area had looked very tired and the transformation is something we should all be proud of.”

A number of new features have been installed in the park to help give it a new lease of life.

The new improvements include the installation of new play equipment including equipment for the toddler age range, replacement self-closing gate, painting of existing equipment and boundary fencing, provision of mini goals and the installation of a waste bin, seating and signage.

Safety surfacing works beneath the new play equipment has been put in place and grounds maintenance work to trees and shrubs within the open space will be undertaken in the autumn.

New entrance signs have also been erected to discourage dog owners from taking their dogs into the play area have been designed by children from the primary schools.

Richard Smith, grant manager for WREN said: “Access to quality play is really important not only for young people, it brings communities together and I hope the area at Minster Close will be enjoyed for many years to come.”