A £450,000 PARK and play area has been opened in Ingleby Barwick.

Children from local schools gave it a try during an opening ceremony at Romano Park, which has taken two years to plan and build.

The facilities have attracted hundreds of youngsters since it was finished earlier this summer.

The play area, on open space behind Tesco, offers some challenging play opportunities and recreational fun.

Equipment includes swings, slides, rope climbers, roundabouts and cable rides as well as features such as climbing walls, a hill fort and play sculpture.

Natural features include boulders, terraced slopes and a sand play area and is suitable for children up to the age of 14.

An additional £80,000 has been spent on a multi-use games area which can be used all year round. It is open and being taken full advantage of by the local community for informal games such as football, tennis and basketball.

Coun Mary Womphrey, the council’s cabinet member for arts, culture and leisure, said: “Romano Park is a great addition to Ingleby Barwick with its top quality equipment – which is just what the children asked for and families can enjoy all it has to offer for many years to come.”

Coun Ken Dixon, of the Ingleby Barwick Independent Society, said: “I am absolutely over the moon about the park. Over 200 people are using it every day. That is how much it was needed. There used to be problems of bigger kids taking over facilities but now families are using this new area.

It is absolutely fantastic. This will keep the kids off the streets and give them something to do.”

The Mayor of Stockton, Paul Kirton, was joined by BBC Tees football commentators and children from local schools at the opening ceremony.

The project was funded by Stockton Borough Council, Impetus Environmental Trust, Awards for All, Department for Children, Schools and Families and The Big Lottery.