COUNCILLORS in Great Harwood are celebrating victory in their campaign to have the play area on the corner of Masefield Close and Wordsworth Road in the township upgraded.

Last year Labour cllrs Scott Brerton, Colin McKenzie, Noordad Aziz and Jodi Clements highlighted the dilapidated and rusty equipment on the mini-park.

Now Hyndburn Council has put refurbishing the play area and upgrading the equipment there in its 2023/24 budget.

Overton ward's Cllr Brerton said: “The park at Masefield Close has long needed upgrading and myself and fellow Labour councillors spent lots of time listening to local people and presenting a strong case for its upgrade.

"We’re glad action will be taken thanks to our campaign.

Cllr McKenzie, who also represents the ward, said: "This was our play area when growing up as kids on the estate, and is still popular now.

"I’m so pleased it’s now going to have some investment and be upgraded."

Overton Labour candidate Heather Anderson said: "As a single parent of four children I know how expensive it is to keep them entertained during school holidays.

"We must improve our local play areas, especially this one as it caters for a lot of families on this local estate which I have lived on for twenty years.

"We have lost the park up Green Hill meaning the only park local to us is Lowerfold which is too far unless you have a car."

Netherton ward's Cllr Jodi Clements said: “It’s great news for the children of our town that this is to be updated.

"I’d like to thank Hyndburn Borough Council for listening to us and of course the Hyndburn Green Spaces Forum who work tirelessly to improve parks and play areas throughout our borough.

"Almost every resident I speak to has mentioned the sorry state of the play area and how sad it is for the local children."