Bideford park closed for major rebuild

The Victoria Park play area will shut to allow major improvement work

Work has begun on a major rebuild of a play park in a Devon town.

Torridge District Council said the existing play facilities in Victoria Park, Bideford, have been fenced off to allow demolition work.

The new play area is due to open by Easter and will include a tower, two slides and a climbing wall among other features, the council said.

The project has been financed through council funding, fundraising and grants, totalling more than £279,000.

Councillor Lyndon Piper, who is the lead member for leisure, said: "It's fantastic news that the council have been able to support the construction of this exciting new play area with the help of additional funding from the Bideford Bridge Trust, Bideford Town Council and central government.

"Local resident groups working alongside our officers have also played a key role in bringing the project to life."

Mr Piper added he hoped the new play park would be used by children "for many years to come".