A PLAY area in a Thornaby park was opened yesterday afternoon by local children.

Regenerating the play area in Village Park, Thorntree Road, cost £110,000.

The Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) provided £50,000 of the total, another £50,000 came from Landfill Tax Credits from local firm Impetus Waste Management.

The Village Park residents' group, which comes up with ideas for the park and helps in funding, raised £10,000.

The total cost of regenerating the whole park is expected to be about £500,000.

Martin Jenkins, from Stockton Borough Council, said: "We are upgrading footpaths and the existing entrance and gates. We will also restore the boundary railings and look at the drainage of the football pitches."

Peter Brennan, secretary of the Village Park Residents' Association, said: "From our perspective, our communities have the first and last word on everything, because we are committed to them.

"I would like to thank everyone who has helped with the project so far."

He said he would like the park to be somewhere that is worth going to and said the plans have the full support of the council.