THREE play areas and a skate park in Burnham have reopened following a £45,000 revamp programme was completed in less than four weeks.

Coleridge Gardens, Burnham, and Stiling Close, Highbridge, re-opened on Thursday with guests including Derrick Cox, Sedgemoor health and safety officer, and Peter Downing, chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, among members of the community.

The majority of Crosses Penn play area, near Manor Gardens, remained open to allow continued use by families with the addition of the new and unique multi play unit which also opened on Thursday.

The Apex skate park opened on Friday 1 in time for the annual Apex Playday yesterday (Wednesday), which went ahead thanks to the £2,500 project grant from Sedgemoor District Council. This year’s event was also supported by Burnham and Highbridge Town Council, Somerset Play Forum and Highbridge Ladies’ Group.

Work at the skate park included the removal of old equipment and repairing the Tarmac surfaces. The re-vamped park, which cost £72,994, will benefit from a new half pipe, quarter pipe, planter, wedge flats, bank ramps and a pyramid corner ramp as well as floodlighting. Users of Apex Skate Park were consulted and wanted to see new equipment but with the same layout as before. .

A spokesperson for Sedgemoor District Council said: "We are delighted that all three Burnham and Highbridge play area revamps have been completed on-budget and to schedule.

"The improvements have been funded by RLT2 monies for outdoor play -contributions are collected from developers and held by Sedgemoor District Council. The play areas re-opened ready for the majority of the school holidays and are already being well used by local and visiting families.

"Our next play improvement project in the area is Talbot Close in Highbridge which we hope to start in September."