MEMBERS of neighbouring communities joined forces to show their love for two different parks.

A shared project to link two Darlington community parks reached a successful fruition at the weekend after four years' work.

Community partnership members from Lascelles and Bank Top held a free, family "Love the Link" event on Saturday on land between Lascelles Green and Eastbourne Park to celebrate their work.

Darlington MP Jenny Chapman and Jim Roberts, an artist and blacksmith who helped design decorative metal bollards and signposts, were at the event.

The two community partnerships secured £50,000 from Groundwork Community Spaces Fund to create a link between the two open spaces.

The money was spent on improving the paths, installing lighting and planting new cherry trees to encourage wildlife.

Mr Roberts also visited St John's and Dodmire primary schools to carry out workshops to design bollards and signposts in the park. The work was inspired by both the park and the town's heritage - the work featured wildlife, the town's iconic clock and designs from the railways.

Mrs Chapman said: "It's wonderful to see the communities come together and to have local children having a say in their area. I'm particularly impressed with designs for the bollards. It's great to see something different."

The family fun day included craft events, face painting, games, a wildlife quiz and a petting zoo as well as refreshments.