Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC) has announced the start of construction work on a new £895,000 adventure play ground as part of efforts to improve local play facilities.

The project will see new indoor and outdoor play equipment installed at the Sycamore Green Centre as part of the council's wider Play Pathfinder initiative, which has already seen 12 other sites across the borough undergo revamps. Work on the new adventure play ground, which has been designed by the D2: Design 2 Gether group comprising local young people, is expected to be completed by March 2010.

DMBC cabinet member for children's services, Liz Walker, said: "This is the latest exciting development in the Play Pathfinder project and will see state of the art play facilities for young people." When complete, the centre will be run by council officers and will also offer short breaks for disabled children and a room to provide care for those with complex needs.