New play equipment for 11 to 16 year olds, has been installed in Lake Meadows park, Biller- icay and is proving a hit with youngsters.

The playground includes a shelter to meet friends, obstacles to climb and hang off and a large space net to get tangled up in.

Sophie Harrison, 15 chairman of the Billericay Youth Town Council, who played a big part in securing the new equipment, said: “We felt teen facilities in Lake Meadows were only really catered for in the skate park, but not everyone likes skating, so we wanted to build something else.”

She said the youth council carried out surveys in three Billericay schools to find out whether the pupils supported the idea of new equipment in the park.

After receiving a resounding yes, the young councillors began checking out the different types of equipment on offer and visited other playgrounds to try bits out.

She said they decided on five pieces of equipment and a youth shelter, so park users had lots of choice.

She said: “All the pieces of equipment are at different levels, so you can do hard or easy stuff.

“There’s also a youth shelter where you can just sit and talk.”

Billericay Town Council leader, Peter Bowditch, cut the ribbon at the official opening of the playground, which was attended by representatives from Essex County Council, Basildon District Council and fundraising groups, the Billericay Lions and the Round Table. Mr Bowditch said safety and durability played a big part in planning the playground.

He said: “We put in a special floor surface which means if anyone tumbles their fall should be broken.

“We also chose equipment which is very easy to maintain and is clearly visible from the car park, so parents can keep an eye on their children.”

The project cost £86,000. It was part funded by Essex County Council. It put £20,000 towards the project. The Veolia ES Cleanaway Pitsea Marshes Trust, an environmental trust funded through landfill taxes, which helps fund community projects, contributed £38,000.

About £5,000 came from lottery funding and Billericay Town Council came up with the rest.

Mr Bowditch said about the opening ceremony: “It was a beautiful day, the play equipment looked magnificent and as soon as the ribbon was cut it was immediately being used by youngsters.”