A PARTY will to be held in Galashiels next week to mark the official opening of the largest playpark in the Borders.

The event will take place next Saturday from 11am until 3pm in the town’s Public Park as the new £290,000 play area is unveiled.

And there will be a number of stalls and activities held on the day for all the family.

Speaking at a recent meeting of Galashiels Community Council, Scottish Borders Council’s convenor David Parker said: “We will have two big names opening the park, but I can’t say any more than that.

“It should be a great day as we are raising money for charities Cash for Kids and the Rowan Boland Memorial Trust.

“We will have an inflatable assault course, a market going on, vintage cars on show and Tesco are coming down to give away free fruit to the children. It really will be a big family event.”

The party has been organised by the town’s community council and entry will be free.

Community councillors asked Cllr Parker if toilets would be built at the new park, to which he replied: “At the moment there will not be toilets there. This has been a challenging one for us.

“We might eventually find provision for toilets at the site and we will be keeping that under review.”

Community councillor Marion Romeril asked what would happen to old equipment which is being removed.

Cllr Parker said: “The old equipment will be destroyed and recycled accordingly. It cannot be used again as the warranty will be invalid. You very rarely get the play equipment out of the ground without damaging it.”

The new park will include areas for children up to six years of age and for older children.

And the facility will have rubber safety surfacing and special facilities for children with additional needs, alongside a multi-use games area.

Judith Cleghorn, chairwoman of the community council, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the opening of the new Gala play park, and the fantastic party which will mark the occasion.

“It is great that the event will support the Rowan Boland Trust and Cash for Kids and it promises to be an exciting event for the young people of Galashiels, with a great many activities for them to take part in.”