AFTER months of hard work Verwood's new £100,000 play area is finally open.

The play area, which is located in the memorial ground in Ringwood Road, includes swings, a climbing frame, slides and a zip-wire.

It opened over the May Bank Holiday weekend just in time for half term and has been described as a welcome asset to the town.

Unfortunately the opening was delayed due to weeks of bad weather at the beginning of the year.

Verwood Town Council parish clerk Val Bright said: "Due to bad weather and a contractor being changed the play area has taken a lot longer than we anticipated and the delay has been extremely frustrating.

"But now after all that waiting the play area is completed and finally open for youngsters to play on.

"We are just so pleased that this facility has finally come together despite some of the setbacks."

The new playground has been welcomed with a great deal of enthusiasm not just from the town's children, but their parents as well.

Writing on Facebook, Natalie King said: "We spent a great couple of hours at the playground. My son was so excited as I'd promised a picnic and play in the new park. There's great equipment for the little ones, well done Verwood Town Council."

Meanwhile, Charlotte MacNab added: "Spent a lovely afternoon with children and friends at the park and the kids loved the new equipment."

The £100,000 cost included all the new play equipment, a fence surrounding the playground and newly laid turf.

The town council is now looking at ways to improve the rest of the memorial ground.