A TOWN council has started the first project of its £26,000 campaign to revamp the town's playground areas and footpaths.

Haltwhistle Town Council is using its £26,000 budget to give some TLC to playground surfaces and footpaths around Haltwhistle - beginning with Comb Hill children's playground area.

Work commenced replacing the surface around the playground equipment this and is expected to end around the week ending May 9.
Cllrs Michael Ridley and Terry Christie oversaw the first process of contractors' work at the playground.

Cllr Ridley, vice-chairman of the council, said: "So far we have got the contractors to uplift the wet-pour surface of the playground.

"It has been there for a very long time, maybe 16 years, and has lasted very very well but we think now is the time to replace it.

"We have three playground areas; one here, one at the west end, and Hadrians Rise.

"We think that this money spent can be something for the kids of Haltwhistle to do, especially during the holidays."

Cllr Christie added: "The playground surface has stood the test of time considering the playgrounds were built around 20 years, if not more.

"They were in good nick but now it's time to put new stuff in for the kids.

"Our aim is just to make it a better environment and a nicer area for the children to play in/on."