Children will soon be able to enjoy exciting and accessible new play equipment at eight refurbished play areas in Stevenage.

Seven of the areas are set to open before or during the school summer holidays, but the proposed reopening of the Town Centre Gardens play area has been delayed.

The council promised earlier this year that it would be ready for the holidays, but it has now been pushed back to September. It has been closed since summer 2022.

It is understood that in the region of £175,000 is being spent on the refurbishment of the Town Centre Gardens play area, while a total of £455,000 is being spent on the other seven sites.

Work with suppliers is now ongoing to ensure a timely completion of the new play areas.

Play areas at Canterbury Way Playing Field, Lapwing Rise, Shearwater Close, Parishes Mead and Camps Hill will be worked on from mid-June, with the aim of opening in early July.

Work on the Riccat Lane and Chancellors Road play areas is then scheduled to begin in mid July, with the aim of opening in early August.

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Residents and children were asked earlier this year to name the five items of play equipment they would most like to see in the new designs.

More than 250 children contributed, and following their responses the new equipment will include trampolines, a group swing, and activity trails.

Make Space for Girls also cooperated with the council, and innovative and social 'hang out spaces' for girls to enjoy will be included.

Cllr Simon Speller, cabinet member for environment at the council, said: “We know how important play areas are to young people and families in the local community, which is why it’s excellent news that we have been able to invest in and update some of our most popular sites in recent years.

"Local children have helped to shape the refurbishments by sharing their views on what they’d most like to see.

“We’d like to thank everyone in advance for their patience while the play areas are closed whilst the work is carried out. Keep an eye on the council’s website and social media for updates on when the sites will officially be re-opening.”