£47,000 of funding aims to give one of Fenland’s oldest play parks a new lease of life.

Fenland District Council has been awarded the money from funding body WREN’s FCC community action fund to revamp the Water Tower Play Park in Whittlesey.

Following a community consultation on what local residents would like to see included at the park, the old equipment will be replaced with a new climbing and adventure frame, a zip-wire, an overhead spinning carousel and a rope swing.

There will also be a tractor climbing frame and slide for children, a basket swing and two-seater swings, new springer seats, and a roundabout and see-saw, as well as new picnic benches.

Whittlesey Town Council contributed £5,000 towards the total project cost of £57,000.

Work is scheduled to take place in January and it is hoped the park will open by February half-term.

Councillor Peter Murphy, the council’s cabinet member for parks and open spaces, said: “This project will provide a real boost to the people of Whittlesey.

“It’s fantastic that WREN has awarded us this money and we’re really looking forward to the play park taking shape over the next few months.”

Whittlesey town councillor Ray Whitwell, who has been involved with the project from the start, said: “Children’s play equipment in this part of town has been lacking for many years, so I’m delighted that WREN has awarded this grant.

“I am confident that Whittlesey residents and their children will be pleased to see this project come to fruition.”

WREN is a not-for-profit business that awards grants for community, biodiversity and heritage projects from funds donated by FCC Environment through the Landfill Communities Fund.

Richard Smith, WREN’s senior grant manager, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the play improvement works at the Water Tower Play Park and pleased our funding will provide such a beautiful green space for people across Whittlesey.

“WREN is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”