CHILDREN and their parents flocked to the official opening of one of North-West Durham's new super-parks yesterday.

The new Annfield Plain park - refurbished at a cost of £60,000 - boasts slides and rides, a teenage hang-out area and basketball park.

The refurbishment is part of a Derwentside District Council policy to have fewer, bigger parks which can be more effectively maintained.

As well as the new rides, youngsters had the chance to enjoy a bouncy castle and other fair-type games as part of the celebrations.

The park will be one of four showpiece parks in the area, with Allensford, Blackhill and Stanley. There was a storm of protest earlier this year when the council revealed that some smaller parks are to be closed partly as a result of vandalism.

Leader of the council Alex Watson acknowledged the protests, but stressed the excellence of the new park. He said: "There are great facilities there and it certainly seemed to be operating successfully. We have to be able to maintain parks in a way that is satisfactory."