Hartlepool's new play area makes a splash as Â£1.3m Seaton work is completed

Joseph Blackett (2) having fun in the water fountain at the opening of the new Seaton Carew children's play area on the site of the former paddling pool.

Youngsters were eager to jump in the water jets when the new facilities opened at Seaton Carew.

Children were queuing up ready to try the play equipment when the area was declared open yesterday.

Front left to right, Peter Stephenson (Able UK), Christopher Akers-Belcher (leader of Hartlepool Borough Council) and Kevin Cranny (deputy leader of Hartlepool Borough Council) cut the ribbon to open the play area as (rear left to right) Keith Marrison (Hartlepool Borough Council), Denise Ogden (Director for Regeneration & Neighbourhoods) and Jonathan Hanson (Deerness Fencing and Landscaping).

The fun-packed family leisure area is part of a £1.3million Hartlepool Borough Council project to revitalise the seaside resort.

Featuring water jets and play equipment for children plus beach huts and picnic tables, the leisure area has been created on the southern end of the promenade on land including the site of the old paddling pool.

And, it certainly proved a hit with youngsters and their parents.

Stuart Blackett and Rachel Humble, went along to see how their two boys, Joseph, two, and nine-month-old, George, liked the play area.

Alfie Phillips-Veart (5) at the opening of the new Seaton Carew children's play area on the site of the former paddling pool.

Dad Stuart, 32, said: “We only live around the corner so it’s ideal for us. It’s a really lovely play area.”

Kirsty Thornton, 26, who lives in another part of town, went along with her two children, Emily, four, and Reuben, one, to try out the park.

She said: “It is great for the children, I am very impressed. I came down with my friend and our little girls couldn’t wait to try out the water jets, they are loving it.”

Laura Stewart, 27, from the Fens area, who was with her two daughters, Isabelle, four, and one-year-old Alice, said: “It’s brilliant. It is really lovely for the children to have something like this at Seaton.”

The park is part of wider improvements which have already been completed.

The nearby Grade II-listed art deco clock tower and bus station has undergone structural repairs and been repaved and a three metre high sculpture by Hartlepool artist Stuart Langley called ‘Waves’ was unveiled a few days ago.

The Seaton Carew improvements were made possible thanks to a £600,000 contribution from the Government’s Coastal Communities Fund and £100,000 from local company Able UK. The main contractor was Deerness Fencing and Landscaping.

In a separate development, a new ten-hole crazy golf course will be created next to the leisure area by a private investor.

The new family area was opened by Councillors Kevin Cranney, Christopher Akers-Belcher and Stephen Akers-Belcher.