Villagers are dedicating a new children's playground to one of their own - traffic policeman PC Ian Broadhurst who was shot dead while on duty on Boxing Day 2003.

The £25,000 play area in Birkenshaw is the culmination of a campaign by the village's Tenants' and Residents' Association.

They suggested it be named after PC Broadhurst because he lived in Birkenshaw at the time of his murder and was well-known in the village.

PC Broadhurst's mother Cindy Eaton, who lives a few streets away from the park created in her son's memory, said she was delighted with the playground.

"We are really pleased firstly because this where Ian lives and secondly because I think it something he would be really chuffed about as he loved children.

"Whenever there was something involving children in his job he always asked to go along.

"He could communicate really well on their level."

The park on Birkenshaw Lane will be officially opened and dedicated to PC Broadhurst by Assistant Chief Constable John Sampson, of West Yorkshire Police, next week. The ceremony will be attended by Mrs Eaton.

"The ground used to be allotments a long time ago," said Jean Carpenter, chairwoman of Birkenshaw Tenants' and Residents' Association.

"But two years ago we decided to try and get the money to turn it into a park as the children round here don't have anywhere else to play.

"It's taken a lot of hard work but it should be ready to open next Wednesday. It seemed fitting to name it after Ian."

The park has been financed by Kirklees Council Leisure Services and the former Birstall & Birkenshaw Area Committee.

PC Broadhurst, 34 and married, was gunned down at point blank range by American bodybuilder David Bieber while making a routine check of a stolen vehicle in Leeds.

Bieber was later jailed for life for his murder and the attempted murders of PCs Neil Roper and James Banks.