A new children’s play area has opened as part of a large investment in the town’s Lockmeadow area.

The latest project in expansion plans at the Maidstone site was opened by Mayor Cllr Fay Gooch, alongside pupils from Boughton Monchelsea Primary School.

Costing £80,000 in total it’s aimed at children between two and eight years old and joins the Love Food hall and outside terrace as a new addition to the centre.

Cllr Gooch praised the new attraction, saying: “The new play area is a great addition to the family offering here at Lockmeadow and it really is wonderful to see the centre growing.

“The backdrop of the riverside, The Archbishop’s Palace and All Saint’s Church creates a beautiful setting for the play area and it is a really good spot for parents to take little ones to get some fresh air and burn off some energy.

“The children here today have certainly enjoyed themselves.”

Children in class four at Boughton Monchelsea Primary School met with playground designers Kompan, as well as leisure property manager Alexa Kersting Woods from Maidstone Borough Council in June.

Plans for the new site were discussed with the class in a workshop with the woodland theme proving very popular.

Ms Kersting Woods said: “We had some great feedback online before the build started and took this information with our class workshop to produce a woodland themed play area. It features the centrepiece of a giant squirrel, slides, climbing equipment and a sunken mini trampoline.

“The play area has given the younger children something to do outside of Lockmeadow. Now with the new food court, parents can grab a coffee and a snack and take a seat while children have a play outside in the fresh air.

“The project was set for completion in September but supply chain issues for materials delayed the project for two months. The children had ordered ice creams to enjoy and still did - even on what was the coldest day of the year so far.