Pendle Borough Council have utilised government funding to provide new chess tables across its parks.

Chess table-topped four-seated picnic benches have been installed in Marsden Park, Nelson, and Letcliffe Park in Barnoldswick.

The council has aimed to encourage more residents to visit the park and encourage chess playing to help with the associated mental benefits of the social game in an outdoor environment.

Chess tables are a common site in parks the world over, and now also in Pendle.

However, players have been told to bring their own chess sets when using the facilities.

Councillor Asjad Mahmood, leader of Pendle Council, said: “The new outdoor chess boards are designed to improve existing green space facilities and encourage residents to come together to meet, learn and play.

“It is wonderful that we can add to our wellbeing offerings at these two parks, and I am certain the new chess tables will be brilliant additions to the facilities they already provide.”

Marsden Park already displays a variety of historical and architectural features including a spa bath, an ornamental pond, a circular sensory garden and woodland walks.

Whilst Letcliffe Park already possesses fantastic views of Lancashire and Yorkshire and is filled with wildlife and woodland.

Phil Riley, green spaces manager at Pendle Council, added: “We have chosen the parks in Nelson and Barnoldswick based on the fantastic community hubs that already exist there.

“We hope these new tables will add to what the parks already have to offer and visitors of all ages will go along to use them.”

Councillor Zafar Ali, the council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, added: “It is so important for us to create outside spaces where people feel they can be active and meet like-minded people.

“There are great benefits to playing chess and the game can have a positive impact on our mental health; plus, with the chess boards being outdoors, it will also boost the users’ wellbeing.”