CAMPAIGNERS celebrated a "great day for Bridport" when an extension to an award-winning play area was opened to the public.

The West Bay play area extension was officially opened by Paralympian Paul Blake last week (7) after the joint project between the Bridport Young Persons Action Trust (BYPAT) and Bridport Town Council.

Speaking on behalf of the town council, Cllr Maggie Ray, said: "It's a great day for Bridport and a great day for inclusivity.

"I am very proud to be part of this project. Town surveyor Daryl Chambers and his fellow team have rolled their sleeves up, whatever the weather, determined to deliver this play area on time.

"Local contractors, organisations, family firms, all have been generous with their money and time.

"We must also thank our consultation groups, helping us design and test this wonderful equipment."

The extension cost around £80,000 and has been made possible by a number of donations including half of the overall budget being provided by Children's Services at Dorset County Council.

Speaking as the extension was unveiled, Mr Blake praised the "fantastic new facility".

He added: "It is an absolute honour to be here today.

"It is quite close to me because I grew up here and I used to run around West Bay. To give back locally is what I like to do.

"I look forward to coming back and seeing if anyone can make it to the able-bodied Olympic team or Paralympic team by using this park."

Representatives of the four consultation groups who have been involved throughout, the Sir John Colfox Academy, the Fisherman's Arms and Flood Lane day centres, and the Mountjoy School council were also on hand to enjoy the opening ceremony.

A group of students from the Colfox Academy were also praised for creating the play area's new sign.

BYPART chairman Arthur Woodgate, said: "What we have been able to do is create an area that can be used by everybody.

We hope we have managed to achieve our aim. Time will tell and we will be constantly monitoring the play area.

"This has been one of the most demanding and enjoyable projects. We could not have done it without the town council."

Bridport town surveyor Daryl Chambers, said: "It is fantastic - it is a complete Bridport thing.

"It was built in Bridport and it's all Bridport companies who worked on it. It has turned out how we always said it would.

"We have shown that Bridport can deliver it and we are all delighted to see it finally open. To see the amount of people here is amazing. We want everybody to play together and it's absolutely brilliant."