DOZENS of young children cheered with excitement as they enjoyed a play park which had just finished a £38,000 refurbishment.

Families enjoyed ice lollies and goodie bags in scorching sunshine to celebrate the opening of the transformed recreation facility on Highdown Way.

Sarah and Martin Fitzpatrick brought their one-year-old Charlie to have a look around and he seemed to enjoy it.

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Sarah said: "This was really lovely. We've been a few times with Charlie because he loves going on the swings and he goes to Busy Bees nearby so we pop over after nursery.

"He likes the new big slide too, though he's a bit scared to go down on his own so I went with him.

"The old park needed upgrading because it was tired, so it's really nice to see the local council invest in this type of stuff.

"I think that it's much better and more interactive for the kids here now.

"This play park brings people together and it's a really good community hub for people living in this area."

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Two new multi-play systems have been installed along with various bounce and twist play units plus a street board.

Existing features like the multi-user games area and swings were upgraded and looked as good as new - which was good news for little Charlie.

St Andrews Parish Council hosted the opening event after months of hard work organisation the revamp of the run-down play park.

Parish council chairman and ward councillor Vera Tomlinson said: "I hope everyone likes the new park as it was the residents who chose the design following a series of public consultation at the Jovial Monk earlier in the year.

"We gave them a choice of four play park pieces of equipment and 96 per cent were in favour of the winning choice.

"I'm very glad they got what they wanted.

"Before, the developers of this housing estate made a mess of the roads and left a lot of mud around.

"The residents had to put up with it and with this renovation, we wanted to show that we appreciated their patience.

"The event was well attended and the local children gave a unanimous thumbs up to the new play park and all promising to continue to use it."

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson officially opened the play park.

He said: "St Andrews Parish Council have been absolutely fantastic securing the funding for the refurb of this popular park and in making sure that it was local residents who chose all of the equipment.

"It was good to see so many people enjoying the new facilities and I'm sure it will be enjoyed by many children in the neighbourhood for years to come."