THE sound of laughter, fun and frolicking resonated from a Tavistock estate as the eagerly awaited Courtlands Community Playpark was officially opened.

The £45,000 project to build 'phase two' of the playpark — the 8 to 13 year olds' play area — has now come to an end, and Courtlands' residents last Thursday gathered in the play area to watch Tavistock mayor Mandy Govier cut the ribbon.

Cllr Govier said: 'This has been the pipedream for the residents for a very long time.

'We've had a few headaches along the way, but we hope we've pleased all the residents now.

'I have to say thank you to all the residents for coming together and working with us to create the playpark. I hope all the children really enjoy this area.'

The new playpark boasts a host of innovative play equipment, including a giro spiral see-saw, a bucket swing, a multi-frame unit, spinners, swings and a goal end.

As well as the play equipment, beech tree hedges have been planted around the park for privacy and to encourage wildlife.

The 8 to 13 year olds' play area has been built alongside the existing play area for younger children, which was phase one of the project, and was made possible by a Playbuilder grant from Devon County Council, as well as £5,000 from Tavistock Town Council.

Courtlands resident Tim Beckett said: 'They built the younger play area when my first child was born and the new play area is perfect now she's a bit older. There was a little bit of opposition at first but the council has listened to our views.'

A report by the town council's works depot management team, Wayne Southall and Ken Sedgman, stated: 'It's been great to see how quickly local children have taken to the play kit as each piece has become safely available to play on and just how much fun they're having.

'So far, the favourites seem to be the Gyro Spiral see-saw and the big cantilever swing.'

Another resident Fiona Arundel said: 'It's fantastic. I think it has turned out really well. The Works Depot team have done a brilliant job. My little girl loves it —she's out here all the time.'

Cllr Govier expressed thanks to Playbuilder, Monster Play Systems for supplying the equipment, Steeltech and the Works Depot.