CONSTRUCTION has begun on a new £290,000 play park in Galashiels.

The facility, located in the town's Public Park, is expected to take 12 weeks to complete by contractors HAGS, with an opening event set for late May.

The upgraded play park will include areas for children up to six years of age and for older children, including a number of new items of equipment not available elsewhere in Scotland, including a special play train.

The park, which will be on the site of the current Public Park play equipment and will be enclosed by fencing, will include wet pour rubber safety surfacing throughout and specific facilities for children with additional needs.

The project is jointly funded from Scottish Borders Council’s play parks budget, Galashiels Pay and Display car parking fund surpluses and a £10,000 grant from Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme.

The Council has involved local school children in the development of the project, alongside Galashiels Community Council.

In a joint statement Galashiels and District Councillors Sandy Aitchison, Andy Anderson, Euan Jardine and Harry Scott said: “This new play park for Galashiels will be amongst the best in the Borders, providing children of all ages and abilities in the area with a modern and exciting facility to enjoy.

“A grand opening for the play park is planned but until then we would ask local children and families to be aware of the works currently taking place and not to stray onto the construction site.”