The Elected Mayor of Watford today unveiled a brand new school play area in front of an eager crowd of onlookers as part of a £100,000 renovation project.

Peter Taylor was joined by school governors and business leaders this afternoon as he cut the ribbon opening a new “Adventure Island” at Ascot Road Community Free School as part of a project funded by home developer Cortland UK.

Children from the free school welcomed Mr Taylor, chairman of governors David Gelernter and Richard Olsen chairman of Cortland UK at a special assembly where the pupils performed their favourite song “Give It All You Got” after presenting Mr Olsen with a “gold-coloured principal’s award” as thanks for their new facility.

Mr Olsen promised to award a trip to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour of The Making of Harry Potter to a pupil who writes the best essay describing what they love about the new play area.

Mr Taylor praised the children’s enthusiasm and said the new adventure island looked “fantastic”.

The ribbon cutting ceremony signalled the completion of the £100,000 playground project which began in the summer and as work begins on a nearby brownfield site to build 485 residential homes - 90 of which Mr Olsen said will be social-rented homes.

Pictured: The ribbon cutting ceremony with Peter Taylor, David Gelernter, Richard Olsen, Cathy Elsley and representatives of the school council

Teachers and representatives from the school council filed outside with Mr Taylor, Mr Gelernter and Mr Olsen for a photograph and where Mr Olsen was presented with a plaque by Ascot Road principal Cathy Elsley.

Seven-year-old Vedansh described the new play area as “amazing and adventurous”.

The playground refurbishment saw the once concrete area transformed into a modern and novel facility which now features new climbing frames, swinging bars, play towers and a garden gazebo.

The play area has also been developed to create an “engaging outdoor learning area to promote the children’s physical development and creativity”.

School principal Cathy Elsley said: “We are so grateful to have received this funding which has allowed us to develop a new and improved outdoor environment for our pupils to enjoy.”

Mr Taylor said: “It has been a wonderful afternoon and the children have been so enthusiastic and their new facilities look fantastic.

“It is great to see pupils enjoying the play area and making use of the new facility.

“This is just the beginning of many improvements in the area, and we will continue to listen to the needs of the residents to provide an enjoyable environment for all.”

Cortland UK chairman Richard Olsen added: “We are pleased to be a part of this project and to be a part of the Watford community.

“It is our commitment to ensuring Watford remains a great place to live, work and grow, and we look forward to continuing to play a positive role in the town.

“This is a good news story, we are going to be here for 30 years and we are going to be neighbours with the school – so we are glad to be working together.”

Ascot Road Community Free School currently has around 260 pupils and accepts children from reception age.

The School moved into the permanent purpose-built site in Ascot Road in 2015.