by Graham Tutthill

The play area at Connaught Park in Dover is to be given a completely new look, at a cost of £95,000.

Funding from the government and the district council is being used to pay for the work which will be carried out by Wicksteed Playscapes.

Theirs was not the lowest tender, but councillors were told there were concerns over the quality of the lowest bid and the design proposal.

Features will include climbing boulders and climbing frames, a zip wire, various swings, a tree house and covered slide, sandpit, benches and a teddy bear picnic area.

The play area - which councillors have been told will be “high quality” - will be fully accessible for disabled children, with paths which can be used for wheelchairs.

It is expected the work will be completed by next spring.