KINGSWINFORD residents have celebrated the opening of the new play area at Cot Lane Park.

The new facility, which replaces the previous outdated play area, was given a grand unveiling last Friday (September 7).

Dudley South MP Mike Wood, together with Councillor Hilary Bills - the Deputy Mayor of Dudley, 'cut the ribbon' at the official launch event which was attended by more than a hundred children and families.

Conservative MP Mr Wood said: “It was incredibly special to see families and children of all ages coming together to share in the new play area in Cot Lane Park.

“I know the Friends of Cot Lane Park have worked so hard over the last two years to raise the funds for the new equipment and all that hard work has now paid off with such a state-of-the-art facility."

Rob Heard, area sales manager of Kompan Ltd which installed the new equipment, said: “Kompan are thrilled to bring local children some much improved play facilities to Cot Lane which has proved very popular and successful.

"The Friends Group and council officers have worked very hard to make this project happen and we look forward to working with the council and other local Friends groups on similar projects in the near future.

"Kompan continually strives to create healthier and happier communities and this project is an excellent example of how local partnerships can achieve that."

The new facility, which has cost around £55,000, includes monkey bars, a roundabout, slide, seesaw, rope nets and swings and new safer surfacing.

Also accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues - it was funded with help from Ibstock Enovert Trust, Enovert Community Trust, Dudley Council and cash allocated through the community forum.