A NEW-look children’s play area at West Tytherley has been given the seal of approval by Test Valley’s mayor.

Councillor Jan Lovell officially opened the new facilities costing £37,000 at West Tytherley Recreation Ground on Saturday.

Cameron Jewell who lives in the village and is a pupil at West Tytherley Primary School helped the mayor cut the ribbon.

New equipment that has been installed at the recreation ground includes a multi-play unit encompassing a slide, a nest swing and obstacle course, a rotary cone climber, a ladybird springer rider and standard swings. It also has a zip wire. Cash for the new equipment was raised during events in the village and individuals, West Tytherley Parish Council, Test Valley Borough Council, Hampshire Playing Fields Association, Viridor Credits and the Hill Group at Whiteparish also chipped in.

John Guy, from the Village Fund group – a working party set up to carry look at projects to improve facilities in the area, said the playground’s old play equipment was ageing and needed replacing.

Mr Guy said the group was now working on a project to refurbish the village sports pavilion next to the recreation ground.