Seven more play areas in the borough are set to be upgraded after the refurbishment of six others.

The council has invested £300,000 to refurbish six play areas in Whitefield, Ramsbottom and Radcliffe and has pledged to spend a further £280,000 on seven more, starting in April.

The council says this investment recognises the importance of quality, safe, accessible play facilities.

Since April last year, six schemes have taken place including two £50,000 projects to improve play facilities at Philips Park and Thatch Leach Lane in Whitefield.

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It spent a further £40,000 each on projects to improve Ramsbottom Pool and Bolton Road Park.

Last month, the play area at Nuttall Park, Ramsbottom, reopened following completion of a £90,000 project to install new equipment.

A £30,000 trim trail has also been installed at Burrs Country Park.

Over the next 12 months, a number of other children’s play areas will benefit from upgrades, including Hamilton Road Park, Victoria Park and Elms Playing Fields in Whitefield.

Investment has also been earmarked for facilities at Bright Street, in Radcliffe, Old Kays Park in Tottington, Top Park in Ramsbottom and Ostrich Lane in Prestwich.

Cllr Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, climate change and operations, said: “Investing in play areas and well-maintained equipment is so vital for local children - to support their fitness, development and wellbeing, and to provide local safe places to have fun and interact.

“Across the Bury borough we have 62 play areas, 24 ball zones, 11 outdoor gyms and 24 tennis courts.

"Maintaining the standard of these fantastic public facilities is a priority for the council, recognising the important part they play in improving lives.”

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The Green Flag Award scheme is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

It recognises and rewards well-managed sites and sets the benchmark for the management of recreational outdoor spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

The council maintains 14 Green Flag accredited parks, with most sites having retained the award for numerous years.

To find local play areas, ball zones, outdoor gyms, tennis courts, ball zones, bowling greens and 3-2-1 routes across the borough of Bury, visit www.bury.gov.uk/playfacilities.