YOUNG and old have been helping to add the finishing touches to a refurbished play area in Shipston.

As previously reported, Queen’s Avenue Park play area, off Campden Road, was given a new lease of life after being derelict for more than a decade.

Following a two-fundraising campaign led by mother-of-two Polly Taylor , there is now a climbing frame, swings, five-a-side football pitch and a basketball hoop, along with a slide and benches.

And to help with the finishing touches of phase one of the £90,000 project, a tree planting morning was held in the park on Sunday (19) after Transition Shipston raised £1,000 for 18 pear and apple trees, which will be planted alongside blackberry and raspberry bushes.

Residents, firefighters, Cubs, Transition Shipston and Shipston's Deputy Mayor, Philip Vial, all turned out to get the work done and planted a dozen mixed fruit trees.

Mike Ashton, of Transition Shipston, said: "I'm delighted that the site is now starting to come together.

"A year ago we started work with the first plantings and now much of the play equipment is in and the landscaping's going well."

Phase two of the project – which is hoped to be completed by late summer – will include a zip line and more toddler equipment.

Ms Taylor, who lives in Queen’s Avenue, added: "The park's so much better than the derelict piece of land we inherited.

"We will carry on with the fundraising effort to make it even better. I must say a big thank you to everyone who came out to help today."

So far £53,000 money has been raised for the project from donations and grants including £10,000 from Shipston Town Council, £1,000 from Warwickshire County Council’s Community Development Fund, a £25,000 grant from the SITA Trust and £25,000 grant from Orbit Housing.