WORK has started on a new £160,000 play area at Branchton Community Centre.

The old equipment will be dug out and replaced with state-of-the-art facilities.

The playpark will also be resurfaced and the existing MUGA will be upgraded with new flooring and boards.

Willie Wilson, centre manager, said: "This is an investment for the future.

"The old play equipment lasted for 18 years and was definitely showing signs of age.

"We'd like to think this brand new equipment will last 20 years.

"It's Hans Christian Andersen play equipment and we are very happy with what we are getting."

The funding was made up from a £109,000 grant from the Scottish Government Cashback from Communities scheme and £50,000 from Inverclyde Council.

Mr Wilson said: "A total of £140,000 will be used on the play area and the remainder will be used for lighting, CCTV and extra fencing."

The work is expected to last 12 weeks and some residents are not happy that the play area will be out of bounds over the summer.

Mr Wilson says this is regrettable but added that the centre had no control over the timescale.

He told the Tele: "This was the first time we could start the work and if we didn't do it now we could have lost the funds.

"It's being refurbished over the summer and they are getting a £159,000 playpark at the end of the day."

Councillor Michael McCormick, convener of environment and regeneration, said: “I am delighted the council has been able to make such a significant contribution to this project. "We have put the health and wellbeing of our communities at the heart of our plans for Inverclyde, investing over £14 million in new play and leisure facilities over recent years.

“It is vital that we continue to do all that we can to encourage young people and communities to get active while having fun.

"By providing modern facilities for all ages we can improve lifestyles and encourage people to move into the area.”