A VILLAGE play park has been officially reopened after works to modernise the area were completed.

The newly appointed High Sheriff for Cumbria Marcia Reid Fotheringham, carried out her first official duty in the role yesterday by opening the newly refurbished play area behind the Queens pub in Warwick-on-Eden.

Councillors and families gathered for a first glimpse of the improvements, which have cost £5,000 and were paid for by Wetheral parish council.

Attending the launch was Laura Zgolinski, who brought along her daughter Natalya, two, and sons Oskar, six, and Aidan, five.

Laura, 30, who lives near St Aidan’s Church in Carlisle, said: “I think it will be brilliant, especially when the weather is warmer.

“The kids are enjoying it, which is a good sign. We will be back with a football as well.

“Unless you get invited to things like this you don’t know community play areas like this are here.”

Oskar commented: “My favourite is the swings. I have been on the slide, it was good.”

The project to renovate the play park - which included adding a boules court for adults - was spearheaded by Penny Ritson of the Wetheral parish council village hall and local play area committee.

Penny, 66, said: “Last summer we thought it needed to be refurbished, a lot of equipment was overused and needed to be repaired.

“The population has changed so much, so it is nice to have something for the older people (boules). It is really nice. It’s open nicely in time for summer.”

Edward, seven, came along to the play area with his mum Joanne Coleby and his four-year-old sister Charlotte.

“It is great, I love how the slide is high,” he said.

“I love how little kids can go on swings and so can the big kids.”

Mum Joanne, who lives in Scotby, said: “It is lovely, I have come here (the pub) a few times for things like my sister’s 40th.

“It’s good because all the children can have a play rather than just sit at the table. My kids love to be outdoors.”

High Sheriff Mrs Reid Fotheringham said: “It is my first official duty as I became High Sheriff last week and it is an honour to do it.”