CHILDREN’S play parks in Worcester are set to re-open with some opening fully and others allowing some of their equipment to be used.

The popular play area at Gheluvelt Park and the one at Cornmeadow Lane have opened - while the junior play area, except for the climber, is open at Cripplegate Park. The toddler play area remains closed while work is underway on new tennis courts.

Worcester City Council says it has to inspect 58 play areas but is hopeful all will re-open all of them within two weeks.

A spokesman said: “Children and parents across Worcester will be very excited about the reopening of play areas and we expect them to be very popular when they are all back in action.

“The Government issued guidance at the end of June that requires each individual play area to be assessed and any necessary action taken to make it as safe as possible.

“This means that re-opening play areas is not as simple as just removing the temporary fencing. Worcester City Council operates 58 play areas, games areas and outdoor gyms across the city, and we will work our way through each of them over the coming days."

Malvern dad, Dave Richards, visited a park in Upton with his four-year-old son Charlie Richards on Saturday.

He said: “Charlie absolutely loves the park. It has been really hard explaining to him that we couldn’t use the the play equipment due to lockdown. Especially as we live right next to one and would often see people flouting the rules and ignoring the signs. It meant the world to him and I am so proud he stuck to the rules and waited. He had the best time.”