A COMMUNITY play group has opened its new woodland area with a special guest in attendance to cut the ribbon.

Puddleducks playgroup opened their new woodland play area on the Harnham Infant and Junior School site on Tuesday (May 16).

Peppa Pig cut the ribbon to open the park in front of the pre-school children.

Harnham Infant School gave the woodland plot to the community group (which is a non-profit charity organisation) and volunteers have worked to clear the area.

Staff and children designed the new attractions, including a bare foot sensory path using grass, sand, pebbles, slate and cobbles, a loose parts area for the children to build, create and explore with natural materials, a tree stump seating area, a mud kitchen and flower, vegetable and herb beds.

The Puddleducks group applied received a £1,000 Tesco grant and items were donated by local businesses and volunteers, including timber for a new tepee from Woodford Forest and Landscaping and over £100 of donated products from Wyevale Garden Centre.

Local builders provided pallets and bricks and tree surgeons have provided tree stumps and wood chips.

Volunteers have donated and planted the plant beds and staff, committee members and their families have spent their weekends and evenings creating the new learning space.

Puddleducks Community Playgroup is open term time between 8.30am and 3.00pm. Contact Sonia or Kirsty on 01722 416293 for more information.