A CHILDREN’S park in Accrington will be refurbished after funding worth £55,000 was secured.

A zipwire, modern climbing frame, basket swing, and rotating ‘hurricane’ swing will be installed on grass at Peel Park following a successful bid for funding by the Friends of Arden Hall and the Coppice.

The news comes after a consultation carried out by the group found that 98 per cent of residents wanted to see the park improved.

Current play equipment was described as ‘outdated and in desperate need of a facelift.’ A grant of £30,000 has been topped up by the council, which has provided £25,000.

The final plans were revealed following talks with children from the nearby Peel Park Primary School, as well as residents, who together chose the new equipment - which will mainly benefit eight to 14-year-olds.

Long-standing member of the community group, Coun Joyce Plummber, said: “I’m delighted we have been awarded this grant. Many children and young families live near the park and their views have helped influence the plans for the play area, so I’m expecting it to be very popular.”

Hyndburn Council’s leisure and parks boss, Coun Ken Moss, added: “This is great news. The Friends of Arden Hall and the Coppice has done a fantastic job securing the funds.

“This new play area upgrade will complement years of investment into Peel Park and the surrounding area; to improve footpaths into the local countryside and to the summit of the Coppice.”

The new play area will be fenced off because the area is also popular with dog walkers, and ‘aromatic and floral’ shrubs will be planted to the south of the park, with local youngsters invited to help with the planting.

The play area will be installed later in the year.