WORK has started on the new play park in Dawlish.

Contractors have moved on to the site in the Manor Gardens and have begun preliminary ground work in readiness for the new play equipment being installed.

The area is fenced off and the central pathway is closed while the work is ongoing.

Dawlish Town Council says the path around the edge of park including the hospital will remain open and further updates will be made as work progresses.

The £320,000 scheme, jointly funded by Dawlish Town Council and Teignbridge Council, was approved by the town council in the summer.

Before the work could start, the town council had to officially lease the area from landowners Teignbridge Council.

The park has been due for improvement for several years.

Existing equipment is being removed initially before the major work can start.

Plans approved by councillors include a children’s trail along the Brook, through the Lawn, past the Knowle and up to Manor Gardens featuring totem poles and information boards marking the route.

At the Knowle, there will be stepping stones and tree fairies.

The new design, which will extend the play park slightly, has been created in consultation with Oakwood College in Dawlish, a specialist college for students with learning difficulties and disabilities.

It has been specifically designed to be inclusive and full accessible for disabilities and for able-bodied and disabled children and young people to use and based on feedback from a wide-ranging questionnaire of youngsters.

The park will be divided into two sections: a coastal theme and a nature theme.

The coastal theme, for up to 14-year-olds and designed to accommodate 110 people, will feature a fishing boat and hut, Black Swan rockers and an interactive tunnel.

There will be an inclusive trampoline and a play boat with a ramp for wheelchair users along with a roundabout which is also accessible.

There will be a Dawlish train and station office in the coastal area with climbing area and swings, some will be tandem so can be used by parents with their children.

Picnic benches, swings and a carousel will be included along with a 14 unit adventure play area.