A BRAND new play park was officially opened in Yelverton last Sunday — the culmination of months of community effort and fundraising in the village.

The Earl of Morley, who gave the land for the park, performed the official opening ceremony, while the youngsters got down to the serious business of having fun. The children entertained the crowds displays of dancing.

Brian Medhurst, chairman of Yelverton Community Projects and a member of the park committee, said: 'It has been a delight to see the enthusiasm with which a group from our community has worked to create a substantial addition to the amenities available in our village.

'It has been really exciting to see the park full to overflowing during the school holidays.'

The park was designed to provide a range of play equipment for children of all ages. There is a toddler area, adventure trail and junior swing, basketball and junior football.

Seats and picnic tables have been added to the park, created from an overgrown area to cleared land thanks to the hard work of volunteers and teams from Groundwork South West.

The entire project cost around £35,000 — in addition to local fundraising events, the committee received grants from West Devon Borough council, the Millennium Festival Awards scheme, the Rural Development Agency and the Hanson Environmental Fund.