A new pirate-themed offering is the latest addition to a tourist town.

The official opening of a new play park took place on Tuesday in Silloth, with the children’s attraction situated next to the splash park on Silloth Green.

Costing £40,000, the facility is aimed at children up to five-years-old and contains a huge pirate ship, which has various attachments to it such as a slide and a climbing frame.

A total of £30,000 was coughed up by Allerdale Council, while the rest was provided by Silloth town council and Silloth Rotary Club.

Silloth council contributed £8,000, while the rotary club contributed the final £2,000.

The new facility was the brainchild of Silloth town councillor Anthony Reid.

He said: “It is definitely what we were after, after a year of mucking around.”

Mr Reid said the final product was definitely worth all the hard work.

“Seeing the kids playing on it and the feedback from the town has been amazing,” he continued.

“It is another asset for the green. It gives us that extra something for that age group.

“That is one of the reasons I joined the council; there was nothing for that [younger] age group.

“We thought we would introduce something, so there is something for everyone.”

Silloth’s mayor,Tony Markley, said: “It is an excellent facility, good for the young infants. It will compliment the green and all the other facilities that we have for the local youngsters.

“Many thanks goes to Cumbria County Council, Allerdale Council, Silloth Rotary Club and Silloth town council.

“It is really well made and watching the children play on it is great.

“It was all planned by Anthony, who brought the suggestion to the council and Allerdale covered most of the costs.”

Councillor Bill Jefferson, who was instrumental in securing the funding, added: “We hope the new play area will become another firm favourite and provide hours of enjoyment for many years to come.

“I’m delighted with the result and the pirate ship is a worthy enhancement.”