THE diggers have rolled into action as a £45,000 improvement project at a Tavistock play park gets underway.

Last Friday marked the start of work on 'phase two' of the Courtlands Road play park project — the eight to 13-year-olds' play area.

The park already has an area for young children, which was phase one of the project, but with funding from the Government, the Council is now able to build a second play area for the older children.

After a consultation evening in September between Tavistock Town Council, Courtlands residents and playground designers, lots of feedback was given to the council about what the residents wanted, and a design by Monster Play Systems was chosen.

Cllr Mandy Govier, town mayor, said: 'It is fantastic to see this project come to life. Not only will it be providing a huge amount of outdoor fun and activity for local children and their families, it represents the coming together of a community.'

She thanked the Courtlands community for their involvement in the project.

'Local residents of all ages got together and worked closely with the council. Their involvement went towards shaping this playpark — letting us know their needs and what would work best for them. They deserve a huge amount of recognition and thanks for this.'

The new park will host an abundance of new equipment including a bucket swing, target practice goal posts, a rotating gyro-spiral, a synchro spinner and a four swing unit with a disabled access swing.

Roger Howard, town clerk, said: 'There was a need for a park here but we couldn't afford it, but now with the £45,000 we are able to continue with phase two.

'It's nice to see it happening. '

As well as the building of the play area, beech tree hedges are being planted around the park for privacy, and to deter people from using the banks as shortcuts. The hedges are being planted in a traditional way, and the council hope it will encourage wildlife.

Cllr Robin Pike, who lives in the Courtlands area, said: 'There are a large amount of new housing estates around.

'This project will bring in the next age groups with facilities for the youngsters. We hope they will be respected and used for what they are designed for.'