North Lanarkshire Council (NLC) has opened seven new play areas across the local area, which have been created in partnership with the help of local community groups.

Around £500,000 has been invested in the facilities, which has included the construction of an £82,000 multi-use games area on the site of tennis courts at Central Park, Airdrie. West End Park now boasts a new skate park backed with £47,800 of funding from the Local Development Programme, which also contributed £60,000 to help fund new play facilities at Beechwood Crescent, Coatbridge.

Redmire Crescent, Allanton, now features a new £40,000 play area, as does Doon Street, Motherwell. A new multi-use games area has been provided at Rochsoles in Airdrie. Meanwhile, the official opening of the new-look Interplay Play Area at Drumpellier Country Park, which has benefited from £160,000 worth of improvements, has been delayed after some swings were stolen.

However, other recently-installed facilities at the play area are now available for local children to use.