KIDS in North Swindon must have been in Santa’s good books this year as three play parks in the area are set to be completely revamped in time for Christmas.

The Haydon Wick Parish Council has officially embarked on its mission to refurbish the parish’s play areas, beginning with the three identified as most in need of attention.

The sites chosen include the Village Green at Abbey Meads, Basil Close and Voyager Drive.

Coun Damon Bower said: “This shows people what we can do as a community and all the good things that parish councils are capable of doing. It is the parish council delivering more for the people who live in the area for their enjoyment and recreation.”

Rather than focusing on parks in one particular area, councillors decided to spread the renovation scheme throughout the entire parish in order to show they are committed to the whole region.

The total cost for the parks stands at £69,246 and, considering initial quotes of £150,000, the parish council is adamant it is money very well spent.

The park at Abbey Meads will see the biggest transformation, with £44,000 allocated for a range of brand new installations, including a climbing frame suitable for children in wheelchairs, a soft rubber flooring and new swings and roundabouts.

The Basil Close site, described by Coun Dave Smith as “not fit for anything”, will also get a new climbing frame with wheelchair access and some fancy new dish roundabouts.

The park at Voyager Drive already has wheelchair-friendly climbing frames and playground company Wicksteed will install a range of new games for the kids, including a large noughts and crosses board and a pinball maze.

Work is expected to start in the next six weeks and the parish council is hoping to have the parks finished by Christmas, in time for a grand winter opening.

Coun Dave Smith said: “The general feeling is that everyone seems really chuffed with the idea. All the bolts are welded on so you can’t come along with a spanner and unscrew them. Unfortunately nothing is vandal proof, but I think these parks will look super when they’re finished.”

Coun Bower described the plans as helping to “keep the parish a great place to live and raise families”, and said the park at Abbey Meads “is definitely going to be the showstopper”.

These are the first three of the 26 parks in the area the parish council plans to refurbish, and residents are delighted.

Kim Daley, 37, who lives near the Abbey Meads play park said: “I think it’s great news. The park has looked a bit sad for a while now and it should be fantastic for all the children.”

Residents have also suggested planting fruit trees around the parks to improve the overall atmosphere. It is something the parish council is looking into.