PLANS for a themed ‘destination play area’ in Astley Park have been approved.

Work will begin in the next few months to extend and improve the play facilities at the Chorley park, creating a play space with sections for younger and older children.

The improvements come after a consultation last year asked how Astley Park could be improved with one of the top answers being a destination play area.

The new play space will be located at the side of the Pavilion and the current small play area.

It will have a theme of Royalists and Roundheads, with links to Astley Hall, where it is believed Oliver Cromwell once stayed. The concept will be based on a castle ruin with natural stone to form ‘rooms’, which will be linked with footpaths.

The play equipment will be spaced throughout and will include slides, climbing stacks, zip wires, swings, a hip-hop see-saw, balance trails, and a wall tower.

Councillor Bev Murray who has responsibility of the Astley complex at Chorley Council,