WORK on the new £16,000 play area at The Wick, off Sandpit Lane, St Albans, begins this month.

Seeking out the equipment could, however, prove tricky - it has all been designed to blend in with the surrounding woods.

The old equipment at the site was removed following a report by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) which declared it unsafe.

Work has also begun on 14 other play areas around the district, at a cost of £120,000, following the Rospa inspection.

New equipment and safety surfaces will be installed, as well as extra seating and litter bins.

As much of the work will only take a couple of days at each site, it is being carried out now so children can play throughout the remainder of the summer holidays.

Councillor Anthony Rowlands, chairman of the project leisure committee, said: "This major investment programme will provide thousands of hours of pleasure for local children, as well as some respite for parents."

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