Revamped Victoria Park proves to be a big hit

The new play facilities in Stafford's showpiece Victoria Park are already proving a big hit with local youngsters.

The play area off Tenterbanks in the town centre opened for use on Saturday just in time for the start of the Whitsun half term holiday.

Children and parents who visited on the opening day were delighted by what has been provided by Stafford Borough Council as part of its £650,000 facelift for youth facilities in the park.

The new playground and other improvements will be officially opened at the annual Party in the Park event on July 3 by the Mayor of Stafford, Councillor Stan Highfield.

The plans were drawn up after members of the council's design team visited nurseries, schools and colleges to ask youngsters what they would like to see provided in Victoria Park.

Two existing play areas in the park were demolished and have been replaced with a new toddler section and junior playground.

The paddling pool has also been replaced with a new sand and water play feature and a skate park area for teenagers has been constructed near to the Castle Hill car park.

The scheme was initially set to cost £450,000 but Stafford Borough Council found an extra £200,000 from savings to offer improved facilities.

Jo McCoy, a 42-year-old financial manager for Wolvherhampton Homes, praised Stafford Borough Council for seeing the project through when the Government pulled its funding.

The mother-of-three, of Stone Road, Stafford, whose daughters, Niamh, aged eight, and six-year-old Daisy, had made new friends on the mini-roundabout, said the playground was an important facility.

"Children need somewhere like this where they can run around and exercise," she said.