The new play equipment at the King George V Field on Sapley Road are part of a £30,000 programme of improvements, which also included updating the Nursery Road site.

New play towers and smaller equipment for toddlers were installed at both sites earlier this summer, together with new surfacing, bins and seating.

Funding for the projects were contributed on a shared basis by both councils and the installation work was carried out by Huntingdon Town Council's grounds staff.

A spokeswoman for the town council said: "The grounds staff at Huntingdon Town Council are an asset valued most highly by the members and have ensured best value for Huntingdon's residents by taking on the work to improve the play areas.

"A small team with a heavy workload keeping our parks and gardens in top condition through the summer, they've worked hard to cope with this additional work this year and we are all extremely grateful."

Huntingdon Town Council provides play areas in the town as part of a broader strategy to provide social and recreational facilities for people of all ages.

On their visit to Sapley Road, where a new football goal post and embankment slide have also been installed this year, a grandmother with her little girl said: "I've never seen the play areas so well used as this year, the children love it here."

Picture: Cllr Sanderson, Chairman of the Leisure & Community Services Committee of Huntingdon Town Council tests the new play tower at Sapley Road play area in Hartford, watched by District Cllr Colin Hyams, the Mayor Saeed Akthar and District Cllr Jeff Dutton.