YOUNGSTERS in Whittonstall have been going wild for their new play area.

The finishing touches have recently been added to the £45,000 community play area on the field of Whittonstall First School.

It has been a joint effort by the school, local parent Susan Ross and Shotley Low Quarter Parish Council.

Consultation exercises took place throughout the village, and the children were involved in picking what kind of play equipment they would enjoy most.

A new tree house has been installed, alongside monkey bars, a log climbing frame, tunnel and slide.

An overgrown section of the field with a pond has been renovated and a healthy colony of tadpoles have taken up residence.

And budding dramatists can tread the boards on a new out-door play stage.

Leanne Barker, executive headteacher of Whittonstall and Broomley First School Federation said: “We are delighted to see the play space officially open.

“It is also fantastic that this facility is available for the whole community to use – for children from surrounding areas and also visitors to Whittonstall.

“We hope it will provide stimulating play for many young people for years to come.”

The project has been funded through a combination of supporters, including Northumberland County Council’s housing developer’s fund for sport and play and local county councillor Colin Horncastle through his member’s local improvement schemes budget.

Funds also came from the Tyne & Wear and Northumberland Community Foundation and EDF Energy Renewables through County Durham Community Foundation.

Coun. Horncastle said: “This is a great project that I have been very pleased to support.

“The play area has filled a gap in provision, as there was no other outdoor play space for a number of miles.”