BURY Council is gearing up to invest over half a million pounds into revamping play facilities across the borough.

The £550,000 investment recognises "the need for quality, safe, accessible and sustainable play facilities that help maintain and improve the quality of people’s lives."

The first stage of the improvement programme is due to start in early March with work continuing throughout 2021.

£300,000 has already been allocated to improve six play areas and four ball zones across the borough.

The play areas are at Manchester Road Park, Openshaw Park, Close Park, St Mary’s Park, Whitefield Park and Goshen Playing Fields.

The ball zones are at Hoyles Park, Manchester Road Park, Openshaw Park and Boz Park in Whitefield.

Later on in 2021, a further £250,000 will fund more play facility improvements at Clarence Park, Hawkshaw Village, Young Street in Radcliffe, Spring Street in Bury and, following a condition survey, a number of other facilities across the borough.

The works at play areas will include new play equipment, new safety surfacing and improvements to paths, bins and benches as required. Notices will be posted at each location prior to work commencing on site.

Cllr Alan Quinn, Cabinet Member for Environment said: “Having safe, good quality outdoor play facilities has never been so important.

“Local parks and green spaces have been a welcome distraction for many of us during this terrible coronavirus pandemic and lots of us have been making use of them more often. We have never needed our parks and green spaces as much.

“This approved funding of £550,000 will ensure we see a big upgrade to local play provision and will complement ongoing wider improvement plans for Bury’s Green Flag parks.”