A play facility in Mountain Ash, South Wales, has been restored and extended after the local authority joined forces with community groups to secure funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Although the scheme is due for completion by the autumn, the majority of work at Gwernifor Park is already complete after the Heads of the Valley programme contributed £63,000 to help fund repairs and new equipment. Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) council, Darran Las Communities First and Darran Las Environmental Group have worked together on the project, which includes an improved paddling pool, upgraded tennis courts and revamped seating.

Members of the Darran Las Communities First Playscheme have selected new equipment for the park, including a swing set and a climbing frame. RCT cabinet member for culture, recreation and tourism Robert Bevan said: "In these difficult financial times, it is vital that we, as a local authority, join forces with the community to secure the external funding opportunities that allow schemes such as this to happen.

"We own the park but were not in a financial position to deliver the level of scheme that has been made possible thanks to the Heads of the Valleys."