A COMMUNITY play park for children and adults is to be opened in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, tomorrow, thanks to an investment worth £200,000.

The Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Maureen Goldsworthy, will join residents and youngsters at the opening.

George Street Pocket Park, on the site of the former George Street Primary School, is the culmination of several years hard work by members of Station Lane and Area Residents' Association.

The park is designed to appeal to people of all ages and features a ball court, toddlers play area, and a quiet area. These facilities are set in a landscaped area with flowers, shrubs, and larger trees.

A spokesman for the residents' association said: "For years, this area has had no green spaces or play facilities.

"We now have a place which everyone can enjoy and where kids can play safely. This park is a real benefit for the community."

Approximately 4,000sq metres in extent, it lies in the middle of the Edwardian terraces which are a principal feature of the area.

The site is owned by Gateshead Council and the authority paid for a quarter of the investment. The rest was raised by the residents, from private funders and charitable trusts.

Councillor Catherine Donovan, Gateshead Council's cabinet member responsible for children and young people, saids: "I know the task of converting this derelict site into a park has not been without its problems, and it does the residents' association great credit that they have overcome them all and achieved their goal."