WORK has been completed on a £225,000 playground development in a Stockton park.

The new play area, at Ropner Park, features a wide range of innovative items, including climbing frames, slides and swings, all based around a sea theme in honour of the Ropner family shipbuilding heritage.

The centrepiece of the playground is a large jungle gym playcentre in the shape of a ship.

Councillor Alex Cunningham, Stockton Borough Council's cabinet member for education, leisure and cultural services, said: "The new facilities will add a colourful and modern element to the restoration of the park."

The facilities were designed by Stockton Parent Support and pupils from Oxbridge and Hartburn Primary schools.

Jenny Lumley, of Stockton Parent Support, said: "For 18 months, ten children, five of whom are disabled, met to work on ideas to make the play area as accessible as possible.

"The children have worked really hard and they are now really excited about testing the equipment."

Completion of the play area is the latest stage in an extensive revamp aimed at returning the park to its Victorian glory.

The overall restoration project, co-ordinated by the council and Friends of Ropner Park is funded by a £2.5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Other ongoing work includes a new pavilion and restoration of the park's fountain.