ADVENTEROUS children will now be able to make use of a brand new climbing frame in Trowbridge Town Park, after Mayor of Trowbridge Glyn Bridges reopened the refurbished play area on Wednesday.

The play area has been made more child-friendly and safer over the past three weeks, with work including a new climbing frame and a new surface, which features a painted planetary system.

Refurbishing the park’s play area cost £30,000, which came from Section 106 agreements with developers to develop more play provision, with the new attractions already proving popular with children of all ages.

Part of the work involved the removal of the popular rocket ship rocking horse, which had become unsafe after more than 30 years of use, although it is planned to be refurbished and brought back as seating for children.

Bill Austin, head of direct services, said: “We think the rocking rocket ship was 38 years old and was the oldest in the play area, with many people having endearing thoughts about it.

“We are going to bring it back refurbished and use it for seating for children, so they can still go on pretending to be pilots. The work was essential as the park was in need of refurbishment to make it safer.

“There is now a new climbing frame, which is in keeping with the climbing tower already in the park, and new safer surfaces. We also removed all the trip hazards that were previously there.

“Another new addition is the planetary system painted on the floor, which is quite fitting considering there was a solar eclipse in the same week. We are always looking to continuously improve and I think we have done a great job.”

Adult equipment was also removed during the refurbishment work and is set to be brought back as part of the planned fitness trim trail, which is expected to be installed around the outskirts of the park area at a later date.

Mr Austin added: “I have already seen lots of people using it and only the other day I saw some pupils from St Augustine’s having fun in the play area.”