A NEW play area has been unveiled as part of a £250,000 project.

The first phase of the new facility in Higham playing fields is now open and installations for youngster children are set to be completed over the next two months.

It comes after more than a year of work by the local community association along with Hyndburn Council and environment charity Groundwork.

It has been built on land next to sports pitches off Thorneyholme Road.

Jean Sommerville, the chair of the Laneside Residents Association, said the play area has been incredibly popular since opening last week.

She said: “It is a great success and this is only half of it. It is very well used already and we can’t wait to finish things off. We’re so proud of it. It’s what people wanted and now they’ve got it.”

The ‘challenging and adventurous’ play facility was opened after Hyndburn Council secured £157,000 from the Big Lottery’s Children’s Play Programme and Lancashire County Council’s Playbuilders Scheme.

The funding for the second part of the scheme has been won by the residents association.

Plans were drawn up after consultation with pupils at nearby Peel Park Primary School, St John’s with St Augustine’s Primary School and St Christopher’s High School.

Steve Tanti, deputy MD of Hyndburn Council, said: “We consulted with the children and young people in the area to make sure that we delivered a project that met the needs of the community.

“This gives them a real sense of pride and ownership of the play area that ensures it will be better looked after, for longer.”

Alan Green, from Groundwork Pennine Lancashire, said: “Research has shown that children who play regularly in natural outdoor environments are healthier, fitter and more open to social interaction.”