YOUNGSTERS of all ages have somewhere to play in Charlton Down after a double Paralympic medallist officially opened the latest addition to the village.

Dorchester athlete Paul Blake, who won the silver medal in the T36 400m in London and bronze in the 800m, cut the ribbon as the local community celebrated a new play area designed for older children.

Clerk to the parish council Sarah Davies said the equipment, which was funded as part of the development agreement for Charlton Down, was designed for children over 11, as younger children already had a play area that was extended recently.

She said: “The over 11s were asking for somewhere more suitable and they have all got something now, which is good.”

Mrs Davies said Paralympian Paul proved a popular choice for the opening of the play area, which has been named Olympic Park as it opened in Olympic year, and was generous with his time.

She said: “It was very good for the children as they all had a chance to have photos with Paul and he also chatted about his training. All the children enjoyed meeting him and so did the adults.”

Paul, 22, said he had enjoyed a preview of the play area before having the privilege of officially opening it. He said: “I tend to take my nieces down there quite a lot with my mum, so I used it before I was lucky enough to open it myself.

“It was really nice of the parish council to ask me to open it and it was great to meet some new faces.”

Paul added that he was impressed by the new play equipment, adding: “I’m a fan of the zip wire.”

As well as extending the younger children’s play area, Charminster Parish Council has also overseen the addition of a Multi-Use Games Area since assuming control of children’s play areas in 2009 thanks to agreed funding from Charlton Down developer Bellway Homes.