THERE was much excitement in Semley on Saturday as children tried out their new play park.

The village’s new facility was officially opened by Cllr Bridge Wayman who was assisted in cutting the ribbon by Elsa Kennett, nine, and Cameron Binns, seven, who won the Design a Playpark competition run to ask local youngsters for their ideas on how the park should look.

The park will suit children of all ages, and includes swings, a slide and tunnel, balance beam and monkey bars, hanging tyres and ‘stepping stones’. The play area cost about £14,000 and was funded by council grants as well as contributions from Whitebridge Hire of Semley, volunteer labour and Semley Village Hall funds.

Drainage, landscaping and fencing materials and play equipment were all locally sourced and a team of volunteers prepared the area before the installation by Podo Play of Tisbury.

Cllr Wayman said: “This new play area is an excellent example of how a community can work together with the parish and county councils to allocate funding for such an important community project. I am sure the children will really enjoy the play area.”

Committee member Deborah Kennett, who organised the Design a Playpark competition, said “The children really helped us design the play area. They told us what they wanted and we’ve hopefully provided it.”