Mayor zips into action as revamp helps children stay more active

Harrogate's newly elected mayor, Councillor Bill Hoult, performed one of his first civic duties when he opened the 108,000 facility in his hometown of Knaresborough.

The play area has been given a major facelift with funding secured under the 235m national Playbuilder scheme which was introduced to create 3,500 play areas aimed at eight to 13-year-olds by 2012.

Harrogate Borough Council's cabinet member for cultural services, Coun Anthony Alton, said: "The original play area was looking very tired and much in need of this investment.

"We are very pleased with the interest that local families have shown in helping us develop the proposals to provide modern and exciting play equipment that fits into a natural environment."

The revamp of the site beside Fysche Hall Field has been paid for by a 50,000 grant from North Yorkshire County Council. Harrogate Borough Council provided a further 24,000 and the scheme also received a grant of 34,079 from the BIG Lottery's Children's Play Programme.

Playbuilder grants have gone to 12 sites across North Yorkshire.