DELIGHTED youngsters danced their way round a £50,000 new play park in Harden which they helped to design.

Children from the village primary school and pre-school raced excitedly through wooden tunnels, rocked on shared swings and clambered over sturdy big climbing frames watched by their teachers and parish council chairman Julia Gregson.

Mrs Gregson told how the successful scheme came about with help from Bradford Council and waste management group WREN.

The grand opening took place in time for children to enjoy the play park over the largely sunny Easter weekend.

"It was my idea in the first place as I really wanted the park revamping, but then it was all about a team effort," Mrs Gregson said.

"Bradford Council advised us on how to apply for grants and then we went to Harden Primary School, the pre-school and Wilsden cubs to ask them just what they wanted and how it should be designed.

"Three different companies submitted plans and types of play park and then we did a sort of survey amongst the children to find out which they liked best.

"And now we've had the official opening of what is a fun safe place which will hopefully encourage more parents and grandparents to bring children along.

"I spoke to some before who said they never bothered coming to it because a lot of the equipment was broken.

"So we're sure this will get really good use and it's great because more children need to be out and about, exploring and playing," Mrs Gregson said.

Some 50 children took part in the first-day fun on the all-wooden high quality equipment which replaced aged swings and roundabouts behind Harden Memorial Hall.

Parish Clerk Eve Haskins said it had contributed £5,500 towards the total cost in order to secure the grant from WREN, which picked up the rest of the £50,000 bill.

"It was thanks to Bradford Council who gave us advice on how to apply for the grant and although it's on the same footprint as the original play park it looks much bigger - and amazing," Ms Haskins said.

"The children all loved it and were so pleased with the fact they'd chosen the layout and design.

"And as they were queuing up to leave one little girl even started to cry because she didn't want to leave! Mrs Haskins said.