HUNDREDS of children had a splashing time at a family fun day to mark the official opening of a new water attraction.

The jets and fountains at the Splash Pad in Riverside Park at Chester-le-Street have proven so popular since it opened at the beginning of the summer holidays that organisers have had to take steps to manage numbers.

The £250,000 attraction, which replaces the ageing paddling pool in the popular park, was officially opened by Durham County Council chairman Cllr Jan Blakey today. (FRI)

Nigel Dodds, strategic manager, culture and sport, Durham County Council, said: “Since the splash pad opened to the public at the beginning of August it has proven to be so popular that we have had to introduce various measures to manage the numbers.

“This not only demonstrates that the investment in Riverside Park is value for money but also that we have provided a great asset for the future.

“It was brilliant to see hundreds of people, mostly children, having a fantastic time at the family fun day and official opening of the Splash Pad by the chairman of the council, Cllr Jan Blakey, and it was an added bonus that the sun shone throughout.”