THE new £50,00 refurbished Coopers Meadow play area in Marlborough is now open after the ribbon was cut by the mayor during a ceremony this week.

Over the half term, children and their families gathered to be the first to try out the new park as Mayor Lisa Farrell cut the ribbon with a pair of golden scissors.

The refurbishment includes new play equipment such as swings, a jungle climber, a firefighter’s pole, climbing ladder, slides and more.

Cllr Farrell has been working with chairman of the amenities and opens spaces committee, Cllr Mark Cooper towards the upgrade for several months.

Coopers Meadow has strong connections to the Cooper family, including Cllr Cooper, who played in the meadow himself when growing up.

His parents, Maurice and Rosemary Cooper also came along to watch the opening ceremony.

Cllr Farrell said: "I'm delighted that the Town Council was able to secure funding for this exciting and much-needed refurbished play area.

"Cooper’s Meadow is a wonderful open space for our community and having a fabulous play area for young families and their children to have fun in has been a real ambition of ours.

"I couldn’t believe how any children came along, around 100, and they all loved it. The response from residents has been incredible and it filled me with happiness.

"The winter sunshine added to it all and it was clear that our young customers gave their new play area the big thumbs up. It was all the more enjoyable for children and their families with free face painting and goody bags to take away.

"For me to see the children having fun and playing there made being a councillor all worth it.”

The project was funded through developers contributions and payments from the community infrastructure levy.