Youngsters look set for summer as the council unveils £50,000 worth of brand new equipment at a Weymouth playpark.

Southill play area has received exciting new facilities as part of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council's (WPBC) huge £80k playpark upgrade scheme.

The updated equipment includes a variety of swings, one of which is an inclusive 'pod' swing, a roundabout, a four-seater spring see-saw, a multi-play unit, a climbing perch, a boat springer, a fish springer and two picnic benches.

The total cost of the equipment was £51,665.

WPBC said that due to the landscape, flooding has previously been an issue at the site as water tended to collect at the bottom of the play area. Drainage work has now been carried out to alleviate this and prevent further flooding in the future.

Cllr Kate Wheller, the borough council's spokesman for community facilities, said: "The new play equipment looks absolutely fantastic and I’m sure the children will have a great time playing here. I would like to say a big thanks to ward councillor Christine James who campaigned for this project- her hard work has really paid off."

In January, the borough council announced an £80,000 budget to install new play equipment at three different play areas in Weymouth.

The bulk of the budget has been spent on Southill play area, but Elm Close playpark in Preston and the Pottery Lane park in Westham will also receive updated equipment.

The all-new Southill playpark will be officially unveiled in a ceremony on Thursday, March 14.

Westham north councillor Christine James said: "I’m glad that at long last and with collaboration of the Southill community we have got brand new play equipment in the park. It’s been on my agenda since I was elected, but there always seemed to be stumbling blocks.

"I’d like to thank the parks and gardens team and Cllr Wheller for the hard work and input into making this happen."

In December 2018, the long-awaited play area at The Marsh in Weymouth finally opened after a number of set backs. It came as part of the £185,000 Marsh Masterplan, which also includes upgrades elsewhere in the area.