YOUNGSTERS at the Blackbird Leys Adventure Playground were thrilled to welcome Oxford’s Lord Mayor to the play area for the first time.

Rae Humberstone chose the playground to be one of his chosen charities following his inauguration, and followed this up with a visit on Tuesday.

The playground was reopened in 2012, after a two-year closure, and now caters for up to 40 children in its after-school sessions, which cost £1.50.

Most of the children come from the Orchard Meadow, Pegasus and Windale primary schools.

Joey Phillips, project play leader at the adventure playground, said: “The children really warmed to him and even thought he was a proper gangster because of the gold chain he wears.”

Mr Humberstone’s other charities for his year of office include the Parasol Project in North Oxford and the Woodstock Road-based TRAX.