CHILDREN in Bewdley rejoiced on Saturday after the ribbon was cut to open a vital new play area.

An all-weather sports court, swings and a slide make up the new facility on Shaw Hedge Road in Wribbenhall, which was re-opened after years of neglect.Mayor of Bewdley, Jeremy Ferguson, Wyre Forest MP Dr Richard Taylor, Chris Lewis, chairman of Wyre Forest Community Housing, john Iles, chairman of Opportunity Bewdley and Julie Morris, chairman of Bewdley Tenants Consultative Committee, cut the ribbon at the new play area.

The project was put together by pupils at the neighbouring Wribbenhall First School, who were asked to submit their ideas towards the final design.

Families represented by Bewdley Tenants Consultative Committee also had a say for the scheme, funded with £17,500 from charity Opportunity Bewdley and through Wyre Forest Community Housing.

"We went into school assemblies and gave the children blank pieces of paper to contribute to the design," said external funding officer at Wyre Forest Community Housing Peter Banford.

"Saturday was not just a chance to open the play area but also to have a community fun day, to bring everyone together."

Wyre Forest MP Dr Taylor helped cut the ribbon to open the playground along with Mayor of Bewdley Jeremy Ferguson, kicking off six hours of fun.

Dr Taylor said: "This is really impressive - it is a real community initiative and it is wonderful to see it coming into shape."

The girls triumphed over their male counterparts in a tug o'war contest while football-mad youngsters tested the new court with a five-a-side tournament.

A raffle, quiz and plenty of good food also kept parents and children happy throughout the day.

The £17,500 came from the government's Market Towns Initiative Programme, which had been applied for by Opportunity Bewdley, a charity set up to attract funding to Bewdley.