YOUNGSTERS celebrated with a party after a play area was reopened.

The play area, in Chellener Way, St Helen Auckland, was closed a few years ago.

But local residents worked with regeneration charity Groundwork West Durham and Darlington to create a "pocket park" at the cost of £12,000.

The park, so called because it lies in a pocket of land between buildings, was funded by money from Wear Valley District Council.

Councillors Margaret and Sonny Douthwaite and senior engineering officer Peter Dunn opened the park on Wednesday.

New fencing has been installed, and landscaping and markings based on an outer space and nature theme added, with rocket hopscotch, astronauts and spiders and sharks.

Youngsters and parents helped design the play area by etching drawings on the ground.

Groundwork project officer Joanne Morley thanked everyone who helped campaign for the play area and helped to create it.

She said: "This is a place where the children can come together, stay safe and have fun.

"It has been hard work for everyone to get to this stage but it should have a long shelf life and we hope the youngsters enjoy it."