YOUNGSTERS have been given the new playpark they have been waiting for.

A new £150,000 adventure pen has been built to include activities after 1,800 people voted for the type of equipment they wanted in Westham, Weymouth.

Youngsters have made appeals for somewhere to go in Westham for years and have been celebrating after finally getting what they wanted.

Three years ago Ryan Hope and his friends completed a 300-signature petition and told the Echo they needed the park as youngsters were hanging around in the streets with nowhere to go.

Ryan, now 18, is chairman of the Westham Youth Forum.

He said “It has taken such a long time to create this park and I know that young people in the area will use the park every day.”

After consultation with residents and schools, designs were shown to the youth forum before the final layout was decided for the park in Corporation Road.

Ryan hopes it will help stimulate the youngsters in the area and become a focus for the community.

He added: “It will make a big difference.

“It will give kids a place to go and the community a place to gather.

“It can be used to host fun days.

“More than anything it’s a place for kids to go and enjoy themselves safely.”

The project was funded by a Government grant, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Weymouth and Portland Housing, Raglan Housing Association and Synergy Housing Group.

Weymouth and Portland councillor Christine James, who received the petition three years ago, said: “The opening of this long awaited facility is a fantastic example of councillors and community groups working together to achieve results.

“The youth forum guided by Ryan Hope has also added weight to the somewhat lengthy processes that it took to secure the funding, backing and support from the borough Council and Weymouth & Portland Housing.

“I hope the youngsters in Westham have many happy hours using the equipment and that they look after it.”

A council spokesman said the play equipment catered for all ages, with toddler-friendly apparatus and equipment aimed at older teenagers and adults.

This includes a six-metre climbing net and an arched pod swing.

There is an adult ‘fit station’ with an exercise bike, treadmill and push-up machine.

Sally Leslie, of Synergy Housing, said: “We are extremely pleased to be involved with this project in Westham.

“It is a fantastic example of how working in partnership can make a real difference to the quality of life for all residents.”

The park will be formally opened on Saturday, January 16, at 11am by Mayor of Weymouth & Portland Anne Kenwood.

The opening will include free refreshments, a display by majorettes from Westham, a penalty shoot-out with Weymouth Football Club and the chance to use the brand new equipment.