DELIGHTED youngsters danced their way round a £50,000 new play park in Harden that was designed by themselves and opened in time for Easter.

Children from the village primary school and pre-school raced excitedly through wooden tunnels, rocked on swings and clambered over sturdy big climbing frames watched by their teachers and parish council chairman, Councillor Julia Gregson.

Cllr Gregson said the successful scheme came about with help from Bradford Council and waste management group WREN. “It was my idea in the first place as I really wanted the park revamping, but then it was all about a team effort,” Mrs Gregson added.

“Bradford Council advised us on how to apply for grants and then we went to Harden Primary School, the pre-school and Wilsden Cubs to ask them just what they wanted and how it should be designed.

“Three different companies submitted plans and types of play park and then we did a sort of survey amongst the children to find out which they liked best.

“And now we’ve had the official opening of what is a fun, safe place, which will hopefully encourage more parents and grandparents to bring children along.

“I spoke to some before who said they never bothered coming to it because a lot of the equipment was broken. So we’re sure this will get really good use and it’s great because more children need to be out and about, exploring and playing."

Some 50 children took part in the first-day fun on the all-wooden high quality equipment, which replaced aged swings and roundabouts behind Harden Memorial Hall.

Parish Clerk, Eve Haskins, said it had contributed £5,500 to secure the grant from WREN, which picked up the rest of the £50,000 bill. “Although it’s on the same footprint as the original play park, it looks much bigger – and amazing,” she added.