A new ‘pocket park’ with play equipment, an outdoor gym and seating has been officially opened.

Burnley Council has worked closely with a local community to create Stoneyholme Gardens Pocket Park, which was officially opened by the mayor of Burnley, Cllr Cosima Towneley.

The refurbished gardens are the culmination of a partnership between the council and the newly created Friends of Stoneyholme Gardens.

The Mayor said: “By working with the local community to find out what they wanted to see done, the council has created a lovely oasis for people of all ages to spend time in and enjoy,” said the Mayor.

“We’ll continue to work with the community to keep the gardens tidy and in good condition and to make further improvements in the future.”

The scheme was funded thanks to £25,500 from the Government's Pocket Parks Plus initiative, plus £16,000 capital monies from the council’s play area improvement programme.

The existing play area has been improved with a larger space given over to a combination of new and refurbished play equipment, providing greater play value and variety for children.

A new outdoor gym area has been created and there is more seating. Raised wooden planters have been installed for the local community, working with the Friends group, to plants up with a variety of herbs, flowers and vegetables.

Two new areas of wildflower have been created, along with the planting of some perennial shrubs and soft fruit bushes.