THE people of Kingsand and Cawsand turned out in force on Saturday for a 'party in the park,' to celebrate the official opening of the newly-developed Coombe Park play area.

Kate Holdom, chair of the Kingfisher Pre- school in Kingsand, has worked with children and adults from the twin villages to raise £100,000 to redevelop the park which was tired and dated.

The community received a grant of £50,000 from the national Playbuilder fund and £50,000 from the Big Lottery's Community Spaces programme.

The park is now in constant use by children and families and boasts a range of modern play equipment, sensory planting and landscaping. There is also a new shelter which was designed and built by community members as young as four.

Kate said she was delighted by the commitment of the community over the two years of planning. The funding would not have been awarded if the community had not been so involved in the consultation, she said.