A COUNTY Durham play equipment company has won a contract to construct an unusual softplay area.

Play Concept of Stanley has won the deal to construct the Body Parts softplay complex at the new- look Waterworld in Prudhoe, Northumberland.

Specialists in adventure play equipment and inflatables, Play Concepts will be creating a giant interactive human body on three levels, complete with spinning blood cell, climbing fingers, a tongue slide and inflatable rib cage.

The children's play area will be completed by the end of the month, and will be one of the main attractions at the new £1.3m extension at Waterworld.

Operated by Leisure Tynedale, the redevelopment of Waterworld includes a new fitness centre, caf and exercise rooms as well as the softplay area.

Design and sales manager at Play Concept, Neil Scott, said: "We are delighted to have been offered the opportunity to create such a dynamic space here in the North-East and hope it will provide a showcase for future projects."

Play Concept has been established for 15 years and has carried out work across the UK and the world. Recently it has completed work in Inverness and London and has also travelled to Budapest in Hungary to create a pirate galleon for a shopping centre.

The improvements to Waterworld have been funded by the Single Regeneration Budget, through the Prudhoe Community Partnership, Tynedale Council and Leisure Tynedale.

The softplay area has also been supported by Northern Arts and the Northern Rock Foundation.