A new Oxford play area that was designed by children has been officially opened by councillors and the children who helped.

The last parts of the play equipment, worth £50,000, were installed last week, and the area off Ashurst Way in Rose Hill was opened by city councillors for the area, Bill Buckingham and Ed Turner, on Friday, August 12.

Plans for the climbing wall and poles, balancing bars, netted play areas, as well as swings, roundabouts, and benches, were drawn up after children from Rose Hill Primary School, Imagine Co-operative Childcare and Rose Hill Tenants' Association, were asked what they wanted.

Chairman of the tenants' association, Liz Pladdys, said: "The children needed something on Rose Hill.

"They now have somewhere safe to play where the motorbikes and motor scooters can't get to. Safety was the issue.

"It's a great advantage now we haven't got just the one but two play areas where each half of the estate can go to."

Councillor Ed Turner said the playground was fantastic: "There has been a lot of thought gone into which equipment to place in the playground and I am pleased that we have tried to cover all age ranges."

Older children as well as younger ones were asked what they would like in an attempt to get them using the area more.

The new equipment is next to the recently installed Street Sport site, designed for games such as football and basketball.

Mr Buckingham said: "It is a nice little outfit. They have put a fence up to keep the motorbikes off it.

"The big houses in Iffley are always complaining about motorbikes -- this new type of fencing, with the kissing gate, should prevent that. It's great."