BUDE-Stratton Town Council is taking over ownership of the Summerleaze and Crooklets beach play areas on a long-term lease with Cornwall Council.

This is great news to many, as it means both sites are being brought back into use for residents and visitors to enjoy.

The town council topped up one-off funding from Cornwall Council for brand new play equipment on the empty site at Summerleaze beach, and chose a ‘pirate ship’ design.

The play area — unveiled by mayor of Bude, Bob Willingham, on Monday, July 22 — is now fully installed and ready for lots of fun over the summer season.

Cllr Willingham said: “We are delighted with the result of the pirate ship, which we feel is a fitting design for a coastal play area, and we’re happy to see it ready for lots of children to enjoy as part of a day out in Bude. The play area will also soon have seating installed to allow parents to get a well-deserved break whilst watching their children.”

The town council has also refurbished the Crooklets beach play area to make it safer and keep it running for many years to come.

Cornwall Councillor for the area, Peter La Broy, added: “I know that people were disappointed when the old play equipment was deemed unsafe and removed last year. I am glad to have helped get the beach play areas onto the devolution programme in order for the town council to take them on for the future.”