A PLAY area at a Runcorn park has reopened after a £111,000 makeover.

The 12-year-old playground at Phoenix Park in Castlefields now includes more play equipment for children of all ages and abilities.

Heidi Waite, 10, from Runcorn, who was asked what equipment she would like to see in the park, opened the new play area.

The new kit  includes a multi-activity play unit with ramped access, swings with a variety of seats, a flush-floor roundabout, a see-saw with extra-supportive seats, a ground-level trampoline and a sensory interactive play train.

Halton Cllr Ron Hignett, board member for the physical environment, said: "This will improve the facilities in what is one of the area's most popular parks. I am sure everyone will welcome the work."

Funding for the £111,000 project came from a variety of sources, including WREN’s FCC Community Action Fund which provides grants to community projects using money generated from the landfill community funds of FCC Environment Ltd .

Halton Council contributes funding through the local area forum and from the Open Space Services Division’s capital playground improvement budget.

Additional funds have been provided by Windmill Hill Big Local and Tesco, through its Bags of Help scheme.

The work was carried out by Manchester-based firm Dunkil Developments Ltd.