A RECENTLY refurbished playground in Fairford has won an award from an organisation which promotes recreational spaces in Gloucestershire.

Walnut Tree Field Playground was judged Highly Commended in the large playground category of an annual competition held by the Gloucestershire Playing Fields Association.

Town councillors Chris Roberts and Jennie Sanford were presented with a plaque recognising the achievement at the 50th Annual General Meeting of the Association in Tewkesbury this week.

Chris said she had been quietly confident. “When we entered the competition, I had a feeling we stood a good chance,” she said. “I am absolutely thrilled. It is a testament to the hard work put in by the town council.”

The £20,000 project to improve the facilities began in the spring and was completed last month. The scheme received funding from the national lottery Awards for All and Cotswold District Council’s Community Projects Fund.

The new equipment includes a roundabout with disabled access, two types of swing, a climbing wall and a basketball net.

The facilities committee is hoping to carry out further improvements in the New Year.