Youngsters in Barton have been given a whole heap more fun.

The estate’s new £150,000 play area was opened yesterday to the delight of children.

As well as the playground, the area has had £300,000 spent on refurbishing the youth centre at the Barton Neighbourhood Centre on Underhill Circus.

Barton Community Association’s Sue Holden MBE had the honour of cutting the ribbon at the play area.

She said: “I think Oxford City Council has done us proud with this project and everyone is overwhelmed with the quality of both elements, both the outside play and the internal refurbishment of the youth centre.”

Work on the play area began in September and four months later the wait is finally over. The play area features a large climbing unit, new swings, a rotating disc and a cantilever swing with other exciting features to be added in the coming months.

Councillor Mark Lygo, cabinet member for parks and sports, said: “We received funding from Oxfordshire County Council to develop this play area as well as the Youth Centre which is a fantastic improvement to the community.

“I am delighted that the work has been completed in time for Christmas.

“It is a great present for the local children and I hope they will enjoy it over the break.”

The youth centre has been fully refurbished, with an extended kitchen, a new ventilation system, lighting and IT connections.

New computer work stations have been installed and the play hub area has been redecorated. The sports hall has also had additional storage added to cater for more activities and new basketball hoops installed to replace old broken ones.

The projects, jointly funded by the City and County Councils as part of the Play Barton scheme, had been in jeopardy last year due to government cuts.

The City Council has also spent the past two years refurbishing other play areas across the city.

Having invested £2.5m into more than 50 playgrounds, it aims to finish the work in April with play areas in Cutteslowe Park, Florence Park and Pegasus Road still to be completed.