CHILDREN are enjoying a new play facility at their local park following a £30,000 grant.

The play area in West Park, next to the boating lake in Newton Aycliffe, was unveiled to parents and children last Friday by the town's mayor, Councillor Maud Gray.

She said: "This is absolutely brilliant. It is just what the children need in this part of the town.

"Before this they had to go all the way to Simpasture Park, now they have something nearer to home and their parents can keep a closer eye on them."

The funding for the project has come from SureStart Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West.

It was made available for a facility for children under five last year.

Since then parents, carers and children have been consulted by SureStart and Great Aycliffe Town Council.

Ann Corrigan, play learning and child care co-ordinator for SureStart, said: "This has been an exciting opportunity for the parents to get involved and have a say, and make this their own.

"Great Aycliffe Town Council and SureStart have worked with local families to identify the best location in Newton Aycliffe West, and the type of equipment that would best suit the children to promote their physical and social development.

"The opening of the playground means that families with a wide age range of children can visit the park and enjoy playing out of doors in a safe and stimulating environment."

It is the second large project that has been taken on by SureStart Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West since it established a presence in the area. Another play area for the Under Fives has been opened in Hackworth Park, in Shildon. As well as the two play parks, a £1m project is planned to build a family centre in each town.

It is estimated that about £500,000 will be available to spend on each building, and some of the services that will be offered include health services, drop-in facilities, one-to- one counselling and training opportunities for parents and carers. The family centre at Shildon will offer full daycare facilities.