NORTHUMBERLAND County Council has pledged £86,000 to refurbish a playpark that has been closed for more than a year.

The funding was agreed by the council's cabinet on Tuesday, August 8, and will see new equipment installed at Prudhoe Waterworld playpark.

Once the work is completed, Prudhoe Town Council will take over the day-to-day running and maintenance of the park.

The park closed in summer 2019 due to unsafe equipment "beyond economic repair."

Speaking at the meeting, Coun. Nick Oliver, who represents Corbridge, backed the project.

He said: "I know this play park, I used to take my kids there. It was a really good park and it's now closed and unsafe.

"It wasn't well-maintained over many years. Doing this will be a really important project, and handing it over to the town council is a smart move. It's better this way. They're looking after their own facility."

Coun. Jeff Watson questioned whether the council paying for the refurbishment could lead to other playpark operators allowing their parks to decline and hoping the county council would foot the bill.

But Coun. Oliver pointed out that the park had been in need of work for over a decade, making such a scenario unlikely.

The project was also backed by Coun. Gordon Stewart, who represents Prudhoe South, and Prudhoe's Mayor, Tracy Gilmore.

Coun. Stewart said: "After months of campaigning i am delighted that Cabinet has approved this major investment into the town.

"It will not only benefit local families but will add to the tourism offer for Prudhoe, supporting local business and therefore employment opportunities and will help people to feel very proud of Prudhoe."

Coun. Gilmore added: "This is a very welcome and major investment into the centre of Prudhoe, which I and the town council fully supports."