THE former site of a gasholder has been given a new lease of life after the land was donated to the council.

The area at Richmond Falls has been transformed into a children's play area in a £60,000 project.

Members and officers from Richmondshire District Council joined youngsters at the park for the opening ceremony - and to have a turn on the equipment.

The council chairman, Councillor Michael Heseltine, said: "The site has undergone a remarkable transformation and a great deal of work has been put into it.

"This play park is a wonderful facility that both children living in the town, and visitors to the area, can enjoy."

The scheme was designed by the authority's own in-house team for the Environment Unit after the land was donated by British Gas.

Activities are available for younger children, while the more daring can have some fun on the cable runway aerial slide.

The site, which is fenced and fitted with self-closing gates, picnic tables and benches, also has disabled access.

The opening of the park took place only weeks after the district council opened a recreation ground, near the Pikepurse Estate, and the authority is also assisting in the delivery of the Ronaldshay Park skatepark project.

The council's executive director, Tony Clark, said the provision of the Falls play park, reinforced the authority's commitment to providing more and better facilities for youngsters in the area.

"This play park brings another facility to the tourist honey pot of Richmond Falls, which will further enhance the area to visitors," he said.