A POPULAR park’s playground is set to receive a £60,000 revamp.

The children's play area at Roe Lee Park in Blackburn will have its old equipment removed and replaced.

The Friends of Roe Lee Park group, along with Blackburn with Darwen Council, joined forces to see the work go ahead.

The improvements will see a new infant and junior climbing frame, two infant and two junior swings with additional basket swings.

The park will also feature a seesaw, a rotating saucer and a new wet pour rubber flooring.

The construction will take place in six weeks and will take around a fortnight to complete.

Jason Walker, group chairman, said it was a big move forward for the park.

He said: “This fantastic news comes after 12 months of very hard work from the friends committee and the borough council.

“The new equipment will benefit everyone and encourage youngsters to play outside more.

“It will come in time for the summer months so young people will get plenty of time to use it.

“The playground is 30 years old and as deteriorated over the years and in major need of repair and replacement through damage and vandalism.

“The council cannot afford to repair or replace this due to central government budget cuts.

“The new playground will attract families and children to the park to enjoy the new equipment to play and have fun.”

The money for the refurbishment has come from the council’s local development section 106 funding agreement.

Mr Walker said: “Playing is the key to physical, mental, intellectual and social wellbeing of children.

“Therefore playground and playtime are vitally important to children for their fun and relaxation as well as for their good health and well-being.

“I would like to thank the ward councillors Sylvia Liddle, Ron Whittle, Phil Riley and the council officers who have been involved."