IT'S ONWARDS and upwards for Greenock community campaigners after the opening of a brand new �175,000 playpark.

Larkfield, Braeside and Branchton community councils all campaigned for years to get the new Burns Square facility, which was opened officially on Saturday.

And now they hope to capitalise on it by getting more leisure facilities for the area.

The playpark has been in use for several weeks and is already proving to be a big hit.

Community council chairman Paul Travers said: "It's brilliant and has been packed every day, with often more than 40 children here to play."

But the campaigners are not resting on their laurels.

Paul said: "We'll now look at ways of expanding the playpark to bring in something for the older children as well.

"And it would be great if we could get a multi-use games area."

The community council also hope to campaign for a playpark in the Braeside area.

The Burns playpark is the latest project completed under Inverclyde Council's �2.1 million play area strategy.

The opening extravaganza included performances from local singers and dance groups, football challenges and face-painting, as well as music from Inverclyde Pipes and Drums and Your Radio plus a visit by the fire brigade.

The name for the playpark was chosen by pupils at nearby St Andrew's Primary, and a logo was designed by children at Aileymill Primary.

Environment and regeneration vice convener, Councillor Gerry Dorrian, opened the playpark along with local girls Melissa Canney, 13 and Samantha McQuillan, 14, who organised a petition two years ago to call for playing facilities in the area.

Melissa said: "We thought we had to do something to get better facilities."

And Samantha said: "We're really pleased with the new playpark."

Councillor Dorrian described the park as 'fantastic'.

He said: "It's already extremely popular with children and young people who are enjoying themselves and having fun despite the recent cold weather.

"We're committed to providing state-of-the-art facilities across Inverclyde and will be spending �100,000 a year for the next three years putting our plans in place."

He said Inverclyde Council also paid for landscaping works next to the play area to improve sight lines and to allow people to keep a watch out for any vandalism.

Councillor Ciano Rebecchi said the children were very proud of their new playpark.

He said: "One of the next aims is to get a playpark in Braeside, possibly on the site of the former St Gabriel's Primary."