Two playgrounds at Darwen's Bold Venture and Whitehall parks are both to get a £100,000 makeover.

The investment follows a the completion of £350,000 total refurbishment of two play areas at Blackburn’s Witton Park.

Following the announcement of the investment in the two parks by Blackburn with Darwen Council, town hall officials are working on redesigning the play areas and exactly what new equipment will be installed.

The authority has also revealed it plans to spend another £100,000 on repairs to children's playgrounds across the borough.

The paths through Darwen’s parks will be improved as part of the Darwen Town Deal’s ‘Destination Darwen’ scheme, better linking them to the rolling moors and Jubilee Tower.

At Whitehall Park further funding has been secured for a new cycle track around the new playground – similar to the popular one installed at Witton.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s environment boss, Cllr Jim Smith, said: “You only have to look at just how busy the new playgrounds have been at Witton Park and what the response has been there to see how much they are valued by our residents.

“Sadly due to budget cuts, we’ve just not had the money that we would have liked to spend on our much-loved parks and playgrounds, which is incredibly frustrating.

“We’ve been creative and looked at new ways of funding improvements and the new playgrounds at Witton and Blacksnape, in Darwen have been paid for using contributions from new housing developments.

“Now, we are really pleased to be able to pledge £300,000 over the next year for new playgrounds at Bold Venture Park and Whitehall Park in Darwen and for much-needed maintenance work elsewhere."

Darwen West ward's Cllr Brian Taylor, said: “We’re incredibly pleased to announce a new playground here at Bold Venture.

“It’s hugely popular – so much so that it has worn out over the years because of the sheer amount of use it’s had.

“We’ve campaigned on behalf of our residents for this much-needed investment and are thrilled.”

Lucy Derbyshire, from Save Darwen’s Playgrounds, said: “We know that playgrounds are incredibly important – for encouraging children to enjoy time outdoors, for their physical development and to help support their mental health too.

"It’s fantastic to hear that both Whitehall Park and Bold Venture Park will be benefitting from £200,000 of new investment.

“We want all children to have access to the very best possible facilities.

“We have lots of good ideas of how to make these new playgrounds suit children of all abilities and are look forward to working with the council on their plans.”